Organic-inorganic membranes for fuel cells

The combination of organic and inorganic materials to develop membranes for fuel cells has become a versatile approach. Early reports and patent applications of Stonehart and Watanabe [220] and Antonucci and coworkers [221, 222] claim the advantage of the introduction of small amounts of silica particles to Na-fion to increase the retention of water and improve the membrane performance above 100 °C. The effect is believed to be a result of the water adsorption on the oxide surface. As a consequence, the back-diffusion of the cathode-produced water is enhanced and the water electro-osmotic drag from anode to cathode is reduced [205]. 

Sihca and silicates are usually rather passive fillers. Active fillers able to contribute also for the proton conductivity include zirconium [203, 237-250] and boron phosphates [251-253] and heteropolyacids [254-264]. 

---

Laberly-Robert C, Valle K, Pereira F, Sanchez C (2011) Design and properties of functional hybrid organic-inorganic membranes for fuel cells. Chem Soc Rev 40 961-1005... 

Organic-Inorganic Membranes for Fuel Cell Application... 

In chapter 9 the general strategy involved in the preparation of organic-inorganic membranes for fuel cell applications is described and its advantages and disadvantages are discussed. 

Bormet, B., Jones, D. J., Roziere, J., Tchicaya, L., Alberti, G., Casciola, M., Massinelli, L., Bauer, B., Peraio, A. and Rumunni, E. 2000. Hybrid organic-inorganic membranes for a medium-temperature fuel cell. Journal of New Materials for Electrochemical Systems 3 87-92. 

Advances in the Development of Inorganic-Organic Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications... 

Nagarale, R.K., Shina, W. and Singh, P.K. 2010. Progress in ionic organic-inorganic composite membranes for fuel cell apphcations. F 388-408. 

Jones D J and Rozibre J (2008), Advances in the development of inorganic/organic membranes for fuel cell applications , Polym Sci, 215,219-264. 

B. Bonnet, D. J. Jones, J. Rozifere, L. Tchicaya, G. Alberti, M. Casciola, L. MassineUi, B. Baner, A. Peraio, E. Ramunni, Hybrid organic-inorganic membranes for a medium temperature fuel cell. J. New. Mater. Electrochem. Syst. 2, 87-92 (2000). 

---