Composite polymer electrolytes temperature

The equivalent circuit of a section of this SEI is presented in Fig. 13(b). It was recently found [123, 124] that at temperatures lower than 90 °C, the grain-boundary resistance of composite polymer electrolytes and composite solid electrolytes based on Lil-A Ojis many times larger than their ionic resistance. At 30 °C / GB is several orders of magnitude larger than (the ionic resistance) and for 100 pm-thick CPE foils or Lil-A Oj pellets it reaches [125] 105-106Qcm2 (depending on CPE composition). 

For the composite polymer electrolytes, the conductive carbonaceous filler must be below the electrical percolation threshold, due to the need to obtain an electronically insulating material with suitable ionic conductivity. These fillers are also used to improve the thermal stabilization and serve as mechanical reinforcement to improve the electrolyte/ electrode compatibility. CNT/P(VDF-TrFE) composites showed higher porosity and electrolyte uptake compared to the pristine polymer. CNT also contributed to increase ionic conductivity (2.6 xlO S cm , 0.1 wt.% CNT) and diminished its variations with temperature. 

Relationship between ionic conductivity of composite polymer electrolytes containing different amounts of (LiAlTiP),Oy at different temperatures using LiN(S02CF2Cp3)2 as supporting salt. (Adapted from Zhang, X. et al., /. Power Sources 112 209-215, 2002.)... 

WIECZOREK, w., CHUNG, s.H. and STEVENS, J.R., 1996a. Ionic conduction in composite polymer electrolytes at subambient temperatures. Journal of Polymer Science, Part B Polymer Physics, 34(17), 2911-2917. 

The current challenge for PEMFC is to raise the working temperature above 80 °C. Composite membranes are a potential solution. The addition of inorganic fillers induces important improvements in water retention at high temperature, conductivity, cell resistivity, mechanical properties, etc. These improvements are related to filler concentration, structure and size, interfaces, polymer matrix and membrane characteristics. It is difficult to compare these ionomer/fiUer composites because their performances depend on the electrolyte preparation and testing conditions (RH, temperature, etc.). H2/02(air) cells based on composite polymer electrolytes have been successfully operated at temperatures up to 120 °C under ambient pressure, and up to 150 °C under pressures of 3-5 atm, but more research... 

Skotheim et al. [286, 357, 362] have performed in situ electrochemistry and XPS measurements using a solid polymer electrolyte (based on poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) [363]), which provides a large window of electrochemical stability and overcomes many of the problems associated with UHV electrochemistrty. The use of PEO as an electrolyte has also been investigated by Prosperi et al. [364] who found slow diffusion of the dopant at room temperature as would be expected, and Watanabe et al. have also produced polypyrrole/solid polymer electrolyte composites [365], The electrochemistry of chemically prepared polypyrrole powders has also been investigated using carbon paste electrodes [356, 366] with similar results to those found for electrochemically-prepared material. 

Savadogo, O. 2004. Emerging membranes for electrochemical systems—Part 11. High-temperature composite membranes for polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) applications. Journal of Power Sources 127 135-161. 

A polymer electrolyte with acceptable conductivity, mechanical properties and electrochemical stability has yet to be developed and commercialized on a large scale. The main issues which are still to be resolved for a completely successful operation of these materials are the reactivity of their interface with the lithium metal electrode and the decay of their conductivity at temperatures below 70 °C. Croce et al. found an effective approach for reaching both of these goals by dispersing low particle size ceramic powders in the polymer electrolyte bulk. They claimed that this new nanocomposite polymer electrolytes had a very stable lithium electrode interface and an enhanced ionic conductivity at low temperature. combined with good mechanical properties. Fan et al. has also developed a new type of composite electrolyte by dispersing fumed silica into low to moderate molecular weight PEO. 

Figure 6.6. Polarization curves of fuel cells with electrodes containing 40 wt% PTFE in the gas diffusion layer. The temperature of the humidifier on the cathode side was maintained at ( ) 65°C and ( ) 80°C. For comparison, the polarization curve of the fuel cell with the electrode containing 30 wt% PTFE in the gas diffusion layer is shown at the cathode humidification temperature of 65°C (A) [5], (Reprinted from Journal of Power Sources, 94(1), Song JM, Cha SY, Lee WM. Optimal composition of polymer electrolyte fuel cell electrodes determined by the AC impedance method, 78-84, 2001, with permission from Elsevier and the authors.)...

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