ENME Webcast Archives
TRANSFORMING ENERGY LECTURE SERIES - SPRING 2008
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In Pursuit of the Ideal Fuel Cell Membrane: How Close are We?
Lecturer: Peter N. Pintauro - Case Western University
Original Air Date: Monday, February 18th at 2:00pm
Abstract: Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, which operate at relatively low temperatures with either hydrogen gas or liquid methanol as the fuel, are promising electrochemical energy conversion devices for automotive, stationary power, and portable power applications. A key component of such fuel cells is the ion-exchange membrane, which physically separates the electrodes, prevents mixing of the fuel and oxidant, and provides pathways for proton transport between the electrodes. The property/performance requirements that have been placed on the fuel cell membrane are stringent and highly demanding. For a hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell, the membrane must conduct protons when fully wet and partially dry. In a direct methanol fuel cell, the membrane must conduct protons but not be permeable to methanol. Additionally, all fuel cell membrane materials must be thermally, mechanically and chemically stable and of moderate cost. Over the past 15-20 years, fuel cell membrane research has evolved from the synthesis and testing of new polymers to the fabrication and examination of polymer blends and polymeric/particle composites. These past efforts to create an "ideal" fuel cell membrane have resulted in only modest successes. Today, much of the exciting and promising fuel cell membrane R&D is focused on membrane nanomorphology control, via strategies such as polymer chemistry design, the use of block copolymers that self organize at the nano-scale, and new membrane fabrication techniques that alter the membrane nanostructure. In this talk, a historical overview of membrane development for hydrogen/air and direct methanol fuel cells will be given. Two examples of current work on fuel cell membrane nanomorphology manipulation/control will be discussed: (i) Polymer composite membranes based on interconnecting proton conductive nano-fibers and (ii) pre-stretched recast NafionĀ® for direct methanol fuel cells. The presentation will conclude by addressing the question posed in the seminar title.
