New polymer electrolyte membranes for gas cells can function at as much as 250 °C – TechnoNews

Hydrogen gas cells, units that may convert the chemical power saved in hydrogen into electrical power by way of an electrochemical response, are promising options for electrifying giant automobiles. Gasoline cells primarily based on low-temperature (beneath 100 °C) proton change membranes have been discovered to be notably advantageous for transportation, as they produce restricted noise, have excessive energy densities and might energy automobiles for lengthy distances with a single cost of hydrogen.

Regardless of their promise, these low-temperature gas cells solely function properly with extremely pure hydrogen, in addition to subtle warmth and water administration techniques, which may restrict their real-world use. Elevating the working temperature of gas cells to 120–150 °C may assist cut back these necessities, making them extra tolerant to hydrogen impurities whereas additionally simplifying their inner cooling and water administration.

Researchers on the Korea Institute of Science and Know-how lately designed a brand new polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for gas cells that may function at temperatures above 200 °C and as much as 250 °C. Their proposed PEM, offered in a paper printed in Nature Power, is predicated on a singular sort of proton provider, which might be deployed as a self-assembled community to advertise proton conduction.

“Operating PEM fuel cells at high temperatures can simplify water management and allow integration with high-purity fuel processing units,” Seungju Lee, Jong Geun Seong and their colleagues wrote of their paper. “However, existing polybenzimidazole (PBI)-based PEM fuel cells face challenges due to the instability of proton transport above 160 °C. We report a PEM composed of para-PBI (p-PBI) and cerium hydrogen phosphate (CeHP) that can be used in a fuel cell at up to 250 °C.”

The researchers confirmed that at temperatures above 200 °C, the first proton conduction of their PEM modified in a manner that allowed gas cells to function at temperatures of 250 °C. In preliminary exams, a gas cell primarily based on this membrane was discovered to realize a outstanding electrochemical efficiency, and a boosted tolerance to CO and higher period of operation in comparison with different present gas cells working at these excessive temperatures.

“During fabrication, echinoid-shaped CeHP particles form a well-dispersed and interconnected self-assembled network within the PBI matrix (SAN–CeHP–PBI), allowing them to outperform p-PBI and conventional CeHP–PBI PEMs in terms of proton transport above 200 °C,” Lee, Seong and their colleagues wrote.

“We report a SAN–CeHP–PBI-based fuel cell that reaches a maximum power density of 2.35 W cm⁻² (at 250 °C in dry H₂/O₂) with negligible degradation over 500 h during thermal cycling (at 160–240 °C, H₂/air). SAN–CeHP–PBI also demonstrates excellent CO tolerance, showing promise for integration with liquid hydrogen carrier systems.”

This latest research by Lee, Tune and his colleagues may quickly open new prospects for the event of higher performing gas cells for transportation-related purposes. Whereas the group’s new PEM has already achieved promising outcomes, its commercialization will solely be doable after a sequence of technical points are overcome. Most notably, scientists and engineers will first need to establish steady catalysts and binders that may tolerate extended publicity to temperatures above 250 °C.

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