DOCSLIB.ORG

Batteries and Fuel Cell Research, Sri Narayan / Surya Prakash

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Batteries and Fuel Cell Research, Sri Narayan / Surya Prakash Batteries and fuel cell research Sri Narayan worked for 20 years at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) where he led the fuel cell research activities for over 15 years and also headed the Electrochemical Technologies Group for 7 years. While at JPL, Dr. Narayan and his associates pioneered the development of direct methanol fuel cell power sources for military and commercial applications, developed new approaches to catalyst preparation by the sputter-deposition technique, new membranes and stacks, and demonstrated a range of hybrid power source systems for space and defense application. He received NASA-JPL’s Exceptional Achievement Award for the development of direct methanol fuel cell and transferring the technology to industry. He has over 35 journal publications and 40 US Patents on various aspects of electrochemical technology. He has delivered invited talks on numerous occasions and has organized several conferences under the auspices of the Electrochemical Society. He is currently the Chairman of the Energy Technology Division of the Electrochemical Society of USA. He has active collaborations with various DoE National Laboratories and Industry. Prof. Narayan joined the faculty of the Department of Chemistry, Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute in May 2010 to advance electrochemical power sources research. Surya Prakash joined the faculty of USC in 1981 and is the George A. and Judith A. Olah Nobel Laureate Chair in Hydrocarbon Chemistry at the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute and Department of Chemistry. He also serves as the Director of the Institute. His primary research interests are in superacid, hydrocarbon, synthetic organic and organofluorine chemistry, with particular emphasis in the areas of energy and catalysis. He is a co-inventor of the proton exchange membrane based direct oxidation methanol fuel cell and a co-proponent (with Professor Olah) of the Methanol Economy concept. Professor Prakash is a prolific author with more than 630 peer-reviewed scientific publications and holds 30 patents. He has also co- authored or edited 10 books. He has received many awards and accolades including two American Chemical Society National Awards: in 2004 for his achievements in the area of fluorine chemistry and in 2006 for his contributions to hydrocarbon chemistry. He also received the 2006 Richard C. Tolman Award from the Southern California section of the American Chemical Society for his scientific contributions to Southern California. He is the recipient of the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and the 2010 CRSI Medal from the Chemical Research Society of India. He is a fellow of the American Association of Advancement of Science and a Member of the European Academy of Arts, Sciences and Humanities. He also sits on several Editorial Boards of Chemical Journals. Batteries and Fuel Cell Research Sri Narayan and G. K. Surya Prakash Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 90089-1661 The USC Power Research Workshop, November 18, 2011 Methanol, fuel and feed-stock: The Methanol Economy High octane (ON= 100) clean burning fuel, 15.8 MJ/liter. M-85 Fuel CH3OCH3, high cetane clean burning diesel fuel, LNG and LPG substitute. Direct oxidation methanol fuel cell (DMFC) USC, JPL - Caltech e- Anodic Reaction: e- e- -+ Pt-Ru (50:50) + - CH3OH + H2O CO2 + 6 H + 6 e + H Eo = 0.006 V CH OH 3 O2 / Air + H O Cathodic Reaction: 2 H+ + - Pt 3/2 O2 + 6 H + 6 e 3H2O + H Eo = 1.22 V + Overall Reaction: CO2 H H2O + H 2O CH3OH + 3/2 O2 CO2 + H2O - + Anode Cathode + electricity Pt-Ru Pt catalyst layer catalyst layer Ecell = 1.214 V Proton Exchange membrane (Nafion -H) US Patent, 5,599,638, February 4, 1997; Eur. Patent 0755 576 B1, March 5, 2008. Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Advantages !Methanol, 5 kWh/Liter – Theoretical (2 X Hydrogen) !Absence of Pollutants H2O and CO2 are the only byproducts !Direct reaction of methanol eliminates reforming Reduces stack and system complexity Silent, no moving parts !Capable of start-up and operation at 20 °C and below Thermally silent, good for military applications !Liquid feed of reactants Effective heat removal and thermal management Liquid flow avoids polymer dry-out Convenient fuel storage and logistic fuel Olah, G.A.; Goeppert, A.; Prakash, G.K.S. J. Org. Chem., 2009, 74, 487 Olah, G.A.; Prakash, G.K.S.; Goeppert, A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 12881–12898 CRI Carbon Recycling International “George Olah CO2 to Renewable Methanol Plant” Groundbreaking HS Orka Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant, Iceland, October 17th 2009 Production capacity: 10 t/day, planned expansion to 100 t/day geothermal CO2 + 3H2 CH3OH + H2O electrolysis using geothermal electricity H2O US Patents 7,605,293 and 7,608,743 Int. Pat. Appl., WO2010011504 A2 January 28, 2010 George Olah Renewable Methanol Plant Carbon Recycling International, Iceland The Methanol Economy Anthropogenic Carbon Cycle Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Sri R Narayan Loker Hydrocarbon Research institute University of Southern California Three Focus Areas in Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage 1. Storing large quantities of electrical energy 2. Conversion of organic fuels to electrical energy 3. Fuel and chemical production using electricity Today’s Wind and Solar Capacity : 45 GW of wind generation; 12 GW of solar PV : Some states want to reach 33% by 2020 3 Requirements for Large Scale Energy Storage System >80% round trip efficiency ( charge+ discharge) 5000 cycles ( Low maintenance) 10‐15 years 1‐ to 8‐hour charge/discharge rate Capital Cost per kWh < $100 /kWh ($ 200 Billion ) Energy Cost : Primary cost of energy/ (round trip efficiency * cycle life) for a 2.5 cents /kWh of premium Abundant raw materials; no geo‐political constraints Easily recyclable/ environmentally friendly 4 Cost and Durability are Challenges for Battery Technologies Battery System Features/Advantages Major Disadvantages Moderate energy density (65 Wh/kg), Moderate to high cost ( > $150‐ Zinc‐Bromine Flow 1250 cycles, Moderate efficiency (70%), $200 /kWh), Cycle life and Battery fairly mature technology with large units efficiency needs to be improved. demonstrated. 3000 cycles, Moderate‐to‐high round‐ High cost(>$500/kWh), toxic Vanadium Flow trip efficiency( 85%) fairly mature materials, relatively rare materials Battery technology that has been scaled up to 1 are used MWh High energy density and high power Very high cost Lithium‐Ion density (100‐200 Wh/kg), 1000 cycles, (>$1000/kWh),safety and abuse Rechargeable High round‐trip efficiency (90%). tolerance is low, cycle life needs to be improved. High Energy density (100‐150Wh/kg), Moderate‐High Cost ($200‐ 1500‐3000 cycles, Moderate to high 300/kWh), High Temperature Sodium‐Sulfur round‐trip efficiency (80%). operation (300o‐350oC), requires thermal management systems. High Energy Density ( 400‐600 Wh/kg), High cost (>$1000/kWh), Efficiency Regenerative Fuel High Power Density, 2000 cycles is low (50%), and cycle life needs5 to Cells be increased. Cost, Sustainability and Toxicity of Battery Materials Material Cost, Reserves, Million Toxicity $/kg metric tons [1] Zinc 2.2 150 Moderate to high Lead 2.2 95 High . Vanadium 27 38 High Chromium 10 1.8 High Bromine 0.60 15,000 as NaBr High Iron 0.20 100,000 of iron None ore Oxygen “Almost Unlimited None Free” [1] USGS Minerals Data 6 Iron –Air Battery has High Energy Density and the Iron Electrode is Robust Electrode Reactions (Discharge): ‐ ‐ o (+) Electrode : ½O2 + H2O +2e → 2OH E = +0.41 V ‐ ‐ o (‐) Electrode: Fe + 2OH →Fe (OH)2 +2e E = ‐0.877 V Cell reaction : Fe + ½O2 + H2O → Fe(OH)2 Cell voltage : 1.1 V during discharge •High energy density Theoretical specific energy, 764 Wh/kg; at 20% it is 150 Wh/kg •Robust iron electrode 3000 cycles have been demonstrated at 80% depth of discharge Very tolerant to overcharge and over‐discharge 7 Challenges and Technical Approach Challenge Suppressing hydrogen evolution (+) (-) during charge and stand ‐ Efficiency improvement -- - - - CO –free Composite 2 -- - - - Utilizing any residual evolved air supply ------- electrode -- -- - - - hydrogen for energy generation with --------- - - - Designed ‐ Efficiency improvement advanced - - - -- --- - - - --- - for hydrogen amine ------- - - - utilization absorber ------- - - ------- Identifying active bi‐functional --- --- --- --- - - - - ------ catalysts for air electrode -------- --- --- ------- - - - --- - ‐ Efficiency improvement ----- -------- Developing robust bi‐functional air bi-functional -- - - Electrode additives ----- electrode air electrode - --- --- to suppress on durable -- - - hydrogen evolution ‐cycle life improvement nano- ------- structured Preventing carbonation of the support Electrolyte additives electrolyte to suppress cycle life improvement hydrogen evolution 8 Examples of Iron Electrodes Pressed Plate Iron Electrodes 9 Test Cell Assembly Hg/HgO Reference Top View of Cell Electrode Reference Electrode Iron Electrode Iron Electrode Nickel Electrode Electrolyte: 30% KOH Nickel Electrodes 10 Battery Testing 16‐channel Cells under test Battery Cycling Equipment 11 High Charge Efficiency of Iron Electrode with Additives With Additive Discharge Rate of Iron Electrode is improved by the Additives With sulfide additive No additives 13 Challenges and Technical Approach Challenge Changes in Electrode Morphology Load (‐) (+) -Reduces utilization and limits Concentrated 2+ Fe 3+ operating life Fe ‐ ‐ Cl Electrolyte Cl Fe 3+ Additives to Fe ‐ suppress
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Review on the Effect of Proton Exchange Membranes in Microbial Fuel Cells
    Biofuel Research Journal 1 (2014) 7-15 Review A review on the effect of proton exchange membranes in microbial fuel cells Mostafa Rahimnejad *1, Gholamreza Bakeri1, Ghasem Najafpour1, Mostafa Ghasemi2, Sang-Eun Oh3 1Biotechnology Research Lab., Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Babol University of Technology, Babol, Iran 2Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia 3Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea HIGHLIGHTS MFC is a novel knowledge that can be used to obtain bioenergy in the form bioelectricity. Transfer of produced electrons to anode is one of the main parts in MFCs. Some MFCs needs artificial electron shuttle in their anaerobic anode compartment. The important goal of MFCs is to reach a suitable power for application in small electrical devices. ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Microorganisms in microbial fuel cells (MFC) liberate electrons while the electron donors are consumed. In the anaerobic Received 3 December 2013 anode compartment, substrates such as carbohydrates are utilized and as a result bioelectricity is produced in the MFC. MFCs Received in revised form 5 January 2014 may be utilized as electricity generators in small devices such as biosensors. MFCs still face practical barriers such as low Accepted 6 January 2014 generated power and current density. Recently, a great deal of attention has been given to MFCs due to their ability to operate Available online 17 February 2014 at mild conditions and using different biodegradable substrates as fuel. The MFC consists of anode and cathode compartments. Active microorganisms are actively catabolized to carbon sources, therefore generating bioelectricity.
    [Show full text]
  • Advances in PNNL's Mixed Acid Redox Flow Battery Stack
    Advances in PNNL’s Mixed Acid Redox Flow Battery Stack David Reed, Ed Thomsen, Wei Wang, Zimin Nie, Bin Li, Brian Koeppel, Kurt Recknagle, and Vincent Sprenkle. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Electrochemical Materials and Systems DOE Office of Electricity Energy Storage Program – Imre Gyuk Program Manager. OE Energy Storage Systems Program Review September 16-19th, 2014 Topics FY 14 Objectives and Goals Background Nafion membrane thickness development. Low cost interdigitated flow design 4 KW stack Conclusion and Future Work FY14 Redox Objectives and Goal Operate at 240 mA/cm2 with improved stack energy efficiency and lower stack pressure drop. Greater stack efficiency Use of 212/211 membrane versus 115. Greater system efficiency Use of interdigitated flow field Understand influence of temperature on stack efficiency Vanadium Mixed Acid Electrolyte 70% increase in capacity 2+ - Charge + Catholyte: VO + Cl + H2O – e Discharge VO2Cl + 2H εco=1.0 V . V2+, V3+, V4+, V5+ stable >2.8M, Anolyte: V3+ + e V2+ ε =-0.25 ao in SO2- and Cl- mixed solutions 2+ - 3+ + 2+ Overall: VO + Cl + H O + V VO Cl + 2H + V Eo=1.25 V 2 2 Power and Energy are separate enabling 80% increase in operating greater flexibility and safety. temperature window. Suitable for wide range of applications 10’s MW to ~ 5 kw . -5 – 50°C Wide range of chemistries available. Low energy density ~ 30 Whr/kg Redox Flow Battery Objectives Develop the technologies, tools, and system understanding required to move the mixed acid electrolyte chemistry from basic chemistry
    [Show full text]
  • Alkali Metal Ion-Proton Exchange Equilibria and Water Sorption
    2 Abstract Alkali metal ion - H +exchanges on Nafion 117 membrane treated differently, Dowex 50 W x 4 and Dowex 50 W x 8 resins have been studied at a total ionic strength of 0.1 mol dm-3. The water sorption isotherms of these exchangers in different ionic forms generated over the entire range of water activity, have been analysed by the D’Arcy and Watt equation (DWE). Water sorption studies have shown that the physical structure of the exchangers have changed due to long - storage or aging, resulting in poorer water sorption and even formation of pores in the case of Dowex 50 W x 8 resin. As a result, the counter ions in the exchangers are not hydrated and the water is present in a free form, albeit structured, in the resin phase. The selectivity sequence for the alkali metal ions with reference to the H + (Li+<Na+<K+) for the exchangers used in the present study is in accordance with that reported in the literature for the ionomers having sulphonic acid as the functional group. In view of the absence of hydration of the cations in the resin phase, the driving force for the selectivity of the cation, namely, the net gain in entropy, is expected to come from the loss of structured water during the exchange process. Pre treating the Nafion 117 membrane with boiling acid solution activates the clustered region of the membrane in the H + form, while pretreatment with boiling water expands the non-ionic domain (the region connecting the clusters). These modifications influence the state of water present in the Nafion 117 membrane and the ion exchange equilibria.
    [Show full text]
  • Thermodynamic Equilibrium Constants of Alkali Metal Ion-Hydrogen Ion
    Indian Journal of Chemistry Vol. 31A,June 1992, pp. 317-322 Thermodynamic equilibrium constants of alkali metal ion-hydrogen ion exchanges and related swelling free energies in perfluorosulphonate ionomer membrane (Nafion-117) in aqueous medium Sita T Iyer, Deoki Nandan & R M Iyer" Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombav. Bombay 400 085 Li + IH + , Na + IH t , K + IH + , Rb + IH + and Cs + IH + exchange equilibria on a perfluorosulphonate ex- changer (Nafion-1l7) have been investigated at 0.1 M ionic strength in aqueous medium and thermody- namic equilibrium constants of 0.78 to 12.6 (Li + IH t to Cs + IH + ) have been evaluated and the alkali me- tal selectivity sequence has been found to be Cs + > Rh + > K + > Na + > Li ". The various ionic forms of Nafion-1l7 involved have also been subjected to isopiestic water vapour sorption investigations and the hydration numbers and swelling free energies determined. The exchange selectivities have been found to be consistent with the sequence of ionic hydration and swelling free energies, the exchange free energies showing a linear relationship with the difference in free energies of hydration of the exchanging ions as per Eisenman's model. The expanded selectivity as well as swelling free energy ranges observed in Nafion- 117 compared to Dowex SOW type of resins have been interpreted in terms of hydrative and osmotic swelling behaviours of the two exchangers. Existence of a solvent shared ion pair in Nafion-1l7. i.e. - SO; (H20)Cs + observed in an earlier study has been supported
    [Show full text]
  • D520CS/521CS, D2020CS/2021CS Ion Exchange Materials Polymer Dispersions
    Product Bulletin P-14 D520CS/521CS, D2020CS/2021CS Ion Exchange Materials Polymer Dispersions Product Information Nafion™ perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer and dispersant compositions. Typical uses include dispersions are made from chemically stabilized PFSA/ fabrication of thin films, coating formulations for fuel cell polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) copolymer in the acid membranes, catalyst coatings, sensors, and a variety of (H+) form and are available in several polymer content electrochemical applications. Typical Composition Nafion™ PFSA Polymer Dispersions by Composition Property D520CS D521CS D2020CS D2021CS 5.0 min. 5.0 min. 20.0 min. 20.0 min. Polymer Content, wt% 5.4 max. 5.4 max. 22.0 max. 22.0 max. Water Content, wt% 45 ± 3 45 ± 3 34 ± 2 34 ± 2 VOC Content, wt% 50 ± 3 50 ± 3 46 ± 2 46 ± 2 1-Propanol 48 ± 3 48 ± 3 44 ± 2 44 ± 2 Ethanol <4 <4 <2 <2 Mixed Ethers and Other VOCs <1 <1 <1 <1 Specific Gravity 0.92−0.94 0.92−0.94 1.01−1.03 1.01−1.03 Available Acid Capacity, meq/g, >1.00 >0.92 >1.00 >0.92 H+ polymer basis Total Acid Capacity, meq/g, 1.03−1.12 0.95−1.03 1.03−1.12 0.95−1.03 H+ polymer basis Viscosity, cP, at 25 °C (77 °F) and 10−40 10−40 50−500 50−500 40 sec–1 Shear Rate* *1 cP = 1 MPa·sec Nafion™ Ion Exchange Materials Order Information Handling Practices Dispersions are available in the following containers Ventilation should be provided for safe handling and (4-L minimum order): processing of Nafion™ dispersion.
    [Show full text]
  • PVDF-Modified Nafion Membrane for Improved Performance Of
    membranes Article PVDF-Modified Nafion Membrane for Improved Performance of MFC Liping Fan 1,2,*, Junyi Shi 2 and Yaobin Xi 2 1 College of Information Engineering, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang 110142, China 2 College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang 110142, China; [email protected] (J.S.); [email protected] (Y.X.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 9 July 2020; Accepted: 12 August 2020; Published: 13 August 2020 Abstract: Low power production and unstable power supply are important bottlenecks restricting the application of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). It is necessary to explore effective methods to improve MFC performance. By using molasses wastewater as fuel, carbon felt as an electrode, and the mixture of K3[Fe(CN)6] and NaCl as a catholyte, an MFC experimental system was set up to study the performance of MFCs with three different proton exchange membranes. A Nafion membrane was used as the basic material, and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and acetone-modified PVDF were used to modify it, respectively. The experimental results show that a PVDF-modified membrane can improve the water absorption effectively and, thus, make the MFC have greater power generation and better wastewater treatment effect. The acetone-modified PVDF can further improve the stability of output power of the MFC. When the acetone-modified PVDF was used to modify the Nafion membrane, the steady output voltage of the MFC was above 0.21 V, and the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal rate for molasses wastewater was about 66.7%, which were 96.3% and 75.1% higher than that of the MFC with the ordinary Nafion membrane.
    [Show full text]
  • Title Synthetic Studies on Perfluorinated Compounds
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Kyoto University Research Information Repository Synthetic Studies on Perfluorinated Compounds by Direct Title Fluorination( Dissertation_全文 ) Author(s) Okazoe, Takashi Citation Kyoto University (京都大学) Issue Date 2009-01-23 URL http://dx.doi.org/10.14989/doctor.r12290 Right Type Thesis or Dissertation Textversion author Kyoto University Synthetic Studies on Perfluorinated Compounds by Direct Fluorination Takashi Okazoe Contents Chapter I. General Introduction 1 I-1. Historical Background of Organofluorine Chemistry －Industrial Viewpoint－ 2 I-1-1. Incunabula 2 I-1-2. Development with material industry 5 I-1-3. Development of fine chemicals 17 I-2. Methodology for Synthesis of Fluorochemicals 24 I-2-1. Methods used in organofluorine industry 24 I-2-2. Direct fluorination with elemental fluorine 27 I-3. Summary of This Thesis 33 I-4. References 38 Chapter II. A New Route to Perfluoro(Propyl Vinyl Ether) Monomer: Synthesis of Perfluoro(2-propoxypropionyl) Fluoride from Non-fluorinated Compounds 47 II-1. Introduction 48 II-2. Results and Discussion 49 II-3. Conclusions 55 II-4. Experimental 56 II-5. References 60 i Chapter III. A New Route to Perfluorinated Vinyl Ether Monomers: Synthesis of Perfluoro(alkoxyalkanoyl) Fluorides from Non-fluorinated Substrates 63 III-1. Introduction 64 III-2. Results and Discussion 65 III-2-1. Synthesis of PPVE precursors 65 III-2-2. Synthesis of perfluoro(alkoxyalkanoyl) fluorides via perfluorinated mixed esters 69 III-3. Conclusions 75 III-4. Experimental 77 III-5. References 81 Chapter IV. Synthesis of Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acid Membrane Monomers by Liquid-phase Direct Fluorination 83 IV-1.
    [Show full text]
  • Technical Information Safety in Handling And
    Technical Bulletin T-01 Ion Exchange Materials Safety in Handling and Use Technical Information Introduction The analogous structure for Teflon™ PTFE fluoropolymer The purpose of this technical bulletin is to provide resins is: guidelines for the safe handling and use of Nafion™ F F F F F perfluorinated membranes from Chemours. The complete | | | | | contents should be reviewed before Nafion™ membranes — C — C — C — C — C — are processed or used at elevated temperatures. For | | | | | general background on fluoropolymer resins, reference F F F F F can be made to the “Fluoropolymers Safe Handling Guide” —published by The Society of the Plastics Industry. The Nafion™ perfluorinated membranes have the ™ Nafion™ perfluorinated membranes are fabricated from extraordinary chemical and thermal stability of Teflon ™ copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorinated resins. While Teflon resin is one of the most hydrophobic ™ monomers containing sulfonic acid end groups or from substances known, Nafion membranes are one of the copolymers containing both sulfonic acid and carboxylic most hydrophilic. They absorb water and some polar acid groups. The safety considerations for these organics rapidly, even at room temperature, in amounts membranes are based on the thermal and combustion dependent upon the number of sulfonic and carboxylic ™ decomposition products of the copolymers. groups. Whereas Teflon resin is chemically inert, the Nafion™ membranes are strong polymeric acids, which The perfluorinated membranes are composed of carbon- react with organic and inorganic bases. However, the fluorine backbone chains with perfluoro side chains sulfonic and carboxylic acid groups in the polymer are containing sulfonic acid groups. The chemical structure is essentially immobile and immersed in a fluoropolymer shown below: matrix.
    [Show full text]
  • Fast Pyrolysis and Hydrotreating Bio-Oil Pathway
    Process Design and Economics for the Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Hydrocarbon Fuels Fast Pyrolysis and Hydrotreating Bio-oil Pathway November 2013 Susanne Jones, Pimphan Meyer, Lesley Snowden-Swan, Asanga Padmaperuma Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Eric Tan, Abhijit Dutta National Renewable Energy Laboratory Jacob Jacobson, Kara Cafferty Idaho National Laboratory PNNL-23053 NREL/TP-5100-61178 Prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office NOTICE This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States government. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, nor Battelle Memorial Institute, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof, or the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, or Battelle Memorial Institute. Available electronically at http://www.osti.gov/bridge Available for a processing fee to U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors, in paper, from: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information P.O. Box 62 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0062 phone: 865.576.8401 fax: 865.576.5728 email: mailto:[email protected] Available for sale to the public, in paper, from: U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Composite Polymers Development and Application for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Technologies—A Review
    molecules Review Composite Polymers Development and Application for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Technologies—A Review Gabriele G. Gagliardi 1, Ahmed Ibrahim 2, Domenico Borello 1,* and Ahmad El-Kharouf 2,* 1 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza Università di Roma, 00184 Rome, Italy; [email protected] 2 School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] (D.B.); [email protected] (A.E.-K.) Academic Editors: Jean St-Pierre and Shangfeng Du Received: 12 February 2020; Accepted: 3 April 2020; Published: 8 April 2020 Abstract: Nafion membranes are still the dominating material used in the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) technologies. They are widely used in several applications thanks to their excellent properties: high proton conductivity and high chemical stability in both oxidation and reduction environment. However, they have several technical challenges: reactants permeability, which results in reduced performance, dependence on water content to perform preventing the operation at higher temperatures or low humidity levels, and chemical degradation. This paper reviews novel composite membranes that have been developed for PEM applications, including direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), hydrogen PEM fuel cells (PEMFCs), and water electrolysers (PEMWEs), aiming at overcoming the drawbacks of the commercial Nafion membranes. It provides a broad overview of the Nafion-based membranes, with organic and inorganic fillers, and non-fluorinated membranes available in the literature for which various main properties (proton conductivity, crossover, maximum power density, and thermal stability) are reported. The studies on composite membranes demonstrate that they are suitable for PEM applications and can potentially compete with Nafion membranes in terms of performance and lifetime.
    [Show full text]
  • Nafion HP Membrane
    Nafion HP Membrane HP Membrane Description Nafion® PFSA membranes are widely used for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, water electrolysis, and energy storage flow batteries. The membrane performs as a separator and solid electrolyte in a variety of electrochemical cells that require the membrane to selectively transport cations across the cell junction. DuPont Nafion® HP membrane is an extended-lifetime reinforced membrane based on chemically stabilized perfluorosulfonic acid/PTFE copolymer in the acid (H+) form. The reinforcement improves the membrane's handling and physical properties. When the reinforcement is combined with the chemically stabilized polymer, the membrane exhibits both substantially lower fluoride ion release and longer operating durability under fuel cell conditions. The membrane is positioned between a backing film and a coversheet. This composite is wound on a plastic core, with the backing film on the core-side, as shown in Figure 1. A 6 inch ID plastic roll core is standard. Figure 1: Roll Unwind Orientation (Coversheet Facing Out) The backing film facilitates transporting the membrane into automated MEA fabrication processes, while the coversheet protects the membrane from exposure to the environment during intermediate handling and processing. In addition, the coversheet (in combination with the backing film) eliminates rapid changes in the membrane's moisture content, and stabilizes the dimensions of the membrane when removed from the roll. Page 2 of 5 Properties of Nafion® PFSA Membrane A. Thickness and Basis Weight Properties1 Membrane Type Typical Thickness (micrometer) Basis Weight (g/m2) HP 20 40 B. Physical Properties Typical Values Property2 MD TD Test Method Physical Properties - measured at 50% RH, 23 °C Tensile Strength, max., MPa 38 41 ASTM D 882 Non-Std Modulus, MPa ASTM D 882 Elongation to Break, % ASTM D 882 C.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pennsylvania State University
    The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School Department of Materials Science and Engineering WATER SORPTION, VISCOELASTIC, AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THIN NAFION® FILMS A Dissertation in Materials Science and Engineering by Stephanie Ann Petrina 2013 Stephanie Ann Petrina Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy August 2013 The dissertation of Stephanie Ann Petrina was reviewed and approved* by the following: Michael A. Hickner Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Dissertation Advisor, Chair of Committee Ralph H. Colby Professor of Materials Science and Engineering David L. Allara Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Polymer Science Enrique D. Gomez Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering Nikolas J. Podraza Assistant Professor of Physics The University of Toledo Special Member Joan M. Redwing Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Chair, Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Materials Science and Engineering *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School iii ABSTRACT The hydrogen fuel cell industry continues to make strides in terms of improving device efficiency and performance, yet ion transport within the catalyst layer is not well understood. Thin ionomer films coating the catalytic particles are responsible for proton transport throughout the catalytic layer, yet the basic physical properties of these thin films, which interact with the catalyst surface, are widely unknown. Fundamentally, the material properties of thin polymer films are known to deviate from thick, free-standing membranes composed of the same material based on their interfacial interactions. The work in this dissertation seeks to uncover the properties of thin Nafion® films to begin to understand their role in catalyst layer performance.
    [Show full text]