Hydrogen separation operating flexibility

A prime need for a solid ionic conductor arises in the design of electrochemical fuel cells (Alberti and Casciola, 2001). Perhaps the most important type is the hydrogen fuel cell, shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8.5. Here the membrane which separates the two electrodes must be able to transfer protons efficiently. A material which combines the flexibility and toughness of a plastic with high protonic conductivity would be an ideal candidate. Prototype cells were successfully operated with membranes made from poly(styrenesulphonate),... 

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