Water protonic conduction

McGrath s group has done an extensive and systematic study on their sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) block copolymers (Fig. 7.19) [42-51]. The block copolymers are composed of biphenol-based disulfonated arylene ether sulfone (so-called BPSH) units and the unsulfonated equivalents (BPS). The investigated properties of the block copolymer membranes include synthetic details with different main chain linkages, spectroscopic analyses of the chemical stmcture, water uptake, diffusion of water, proton conductivity at wide range of temperature and... 

Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell. The electrolyte in a PEFC is an ion-exchange (qv) membrane, a fluorinated sulfonic acid polymer, which is a proton conductor (see Membrane technology). The only Hquid present in this fuel cell is the product water thus corrosion problems are minimal. Water management in the membrane is critical for efficient performance. The fuel cell must operate under conditions where the by-product water does not evaporate faster than it is produced because the membrane must be hydrated to maintain acceptable proton conductivity. Because of the limitation on the operating temperature, usually less than 120°C, H2-rich gas having Htde or no (

Apart from the problems of low electrocatalytic activity of the methanol electrode and poisoning of the electrocatalyst by adsorbed intermediates, an overwhelming problem is the migration of the methanol from the anode to the cathode via the proton-conducting membrane. The perfluoro-sulfonic acid membrane contains about 30% of water by weight, which is essential for achieving the desired conductivity. The proton conduction occurs by a mechanism (proton hopping process) similar to what occurs... 

Water proton self-diffusion exhibits a break point and begins to increase at a = 0.85. In the case of AOT self-diffusion, a breakpoint also occurs, but AOT self-diffusion continues to slow as a decreases further. These breakpoints in both water and AOT selfdiffusion behavior at a = 0.85 coincide with the breakpoint in electrical conductivity illustrated in Fig. 1, where the onset of electrical conductivity percolation occurs. At a = 0.7 two more breakpoints in the water proton and AOT self-diffusion are seen. Water proton self-diffusion increases more markedly and AOT self-diffusion beings to increase markedly. 

We outline experimental results and provide theoretical interpretation of effect of adsorption of molecular oxygen and alkyl radicals in condensed media (water, proton-donor and aproton solvents) having different values of dielectric constant on electric conductivity of sensors. We have established that above parameter substantially affects the reversible changes of electric conductivity of a sensor in above media which are rigorously dependent on concentration of dissolved oxygen. 

Gutknecht, J., Proton conductance through phospholipid bilayers Water wires or weak acids, J. Bioenerg. Biomem. 19, 427-442 (1987). 

Nogami, M., Nagao, R. and Wong, C.J. (1998) Proton conduction in porous silica glasses with high water content Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 102, 5772-5775. 

A number of factors must be taken into account when the diagrammatic representation of mixed proton conductivity is attempted. The behavior of the solid depends upon the temperature, the dopant concentration, the partial pressure of oxygen, and the partial pressure of hydrogen or water vapor. Schematic representation of defect concentrations in mixed proton conductors on a Brouwer diagram therefore requires a four-dimensional depiction. A three-dimensional plot can be constructed if two variables, often temperature and dopant concentration, are fixed (Fig. 8.18a). It is often clearer to use two-dimensional sections of such a plot, constructed with three variables fixed (Fig. 8.18h-8.18<7). 

The main components of a PEM fuel cell are the flow channels, gas diffusion layers, catalyst layers, and the electrolyte membrane. The respective electrodes are attached on opposing sides of the electrolyte membrane. Both electrodes are covered with diffusion layers, and the flow channels/current collectors. The flow channels collect current from the electrodes while providing the fuel or oxidant with access to the electrodes. The gas diffusion layer allows gases to diffuse to the electro-catalysts and provides electrical contact throughout the catalyst layers. Within the anode catalyst layer, the fuel (typically H2) is oxidized to produce electrons and protons. The electrons travel through an external circuit to produce electricity, while the protons pass through the proton conducting electrolyte membrane. Within the cathode catalyst layer, the electrons and protons recombine with the oxidant (usually 02) to produce water. 

Typically, Nation ionomer is the predominant additive in the catalyst layer. However, other types of CLs with various hygroscopic or proton conductor additives have also been developed for fuel cells operafed xmder low relative humidity (RH) and/or at elevated temperatures. Many studies have reported the use of hygroscopic y-Al203 [52] and silica [53,54] in the CE to improve the water retention capacity and make such CEs viable for operation af lower relative humidity and/or elevated temperature. Alternatively, proton conducting materials such as ZrP [55] or heteropoly acid HEA [56] have also been added... 

The fabrication of catalyst layers for PEM fuel cells involves maintaining a delicate balance between gas and water transport, and electron and proton conduction. The process of CL fabrication should be guided by both fuel cell performance and cost reduction. 

An effective catalyst layer must serve multiple functions simultaneously electron and proton conduction, oxygen or hydrogen supply, and water management. The composition and structure of a CL can affecf all fhese functions... 

The catalyst layer is composed of multiple components, primarily Nafion ion-omer and carbon-supported catalyst particles. The composition governs the macro- and mesostructures of the CL, which in turn have a significant influence on the effective properties of the CL and consequently the overall fuel cell performance. There is a trade-off between ionomer and catalyst loadings for optimum performance. For example, increased Nafion ionomer confenf can improve proton conduction, but the porous channels for reactanf gas fransfer and water removal are reduced. On the other hand, increased Pt loading can enhance the electrochemical reaction rate, and also increase the catalyst layer thickness. 

The microstructure of a catalyst layer is mainly determined by its composition and the fabrication method. Many attempts have been made to optimize pore size, pore distribution, and pore structure for better mass transport. Liu and Wang [141] found that a CL structure with a higher porosity near the GDL was beneficial for O2 transport and water removal. A CL with a stepwise porosity distribution, a higher porosity near the GDL, and a lower porosity near the membrane could perform better than one with a uniform porosity distribution. This pore structure led to better O2 distribution in the GL and extended the reaction zone toward the GDL side. The position of macropores also played an important role in proton conduction and oxygen transport within the CL, due to favorable proton and oxygen concentration conduction profiles. 

Proton conduction in water. (From Kreuer, K. D. et al. 2004. Chemical Reviews 104 4637-4678.)... 

Proton conductivity as a function of water content (A) for ETFE- -PSSA, BAM membrane, SPEEK, and Nafion. (From Peckham, T. J. et al. 2007. Journal of Materials Chemistry 17 3255-3268, and Dolye, M. et al. 2001. Journal of Physical Chemistry B 105 9387-9394.)... 

In the case of Nafion, a similar situation occurs. There is a sharp increase in proton conductivity and proton concentration as a function of water content followed by a decrease at A > 20. At these higher water contents, Nafion undergoes a similar dilution of proton concentration per BAM membrane in conjunction with a lower mobility value versus ETFE-g-PSSA. However,... 

From these examples, it can be seen that water content has a strong effect upon proton conductivity. Thus, it is clear that water management is an important factor for efficient PEMFC operation. It will be discussed in Section 3.2.3. 

Based on GebeTs calculations for Nafion (where lEC = 0.91 meq/g),i isolated spheres of ionic clusters in the dry state have diameters of 15 A and an intercluster spacing of 27 A. Because the spheres are isolated, proton transport through the membrane is severely impeded and thus low levels of conductivity are observed for a dry membrane. As water content increases, the isolated ionic clusters begin to swell until, at X, > 0.2, the percolation threshold is reached. This significant point represents the point at which connections or channels are now formed between the previously isolated ionic clusters and leads to a concomitant sharp increase in the observed level of proton conductivity. 

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