Fuel cells create electrical energy by electrochemically responding hydrogen and oxygen, producing just water as a by-product, that makes them a tidy energy source. Utilizing perfluoro sulfonic acid polymers consisting of sulfonic acid groups– a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl compound (PFAS)– in fuel cells has actually raised issues.
PFAS can collect in the environment and living organisms, increasing regulative examination in numerous nations.
On the other hand, phosphonic acid hydrocarbon polymers do not consist of fluorine, making them less most likely to continue the environment. These polymers likewise use moderate chemical stability under high-temperature and low-humidity conditions.
Their usage is restricted by bad conductivity and their hydrophilic nature, suggesting they draw in water. This can result in dissolution in damp environments, limiting their capacity in fuel cell applications.
To conquer these difficulties, a research study group led by Atsushi Noro at Nagoya University in Japan has actually revealed an unique style idea for fuel cell electrolytes. Their research study utilizes a phosphonic acid polymer with hydrocarbon spacers.
New electrochemical cell converts caught carbon into green fuel
The group enhanced a phosphonic acid hydrocarbon polymer by presenting a hydrophobic spacer in between the polymer foundation and the phosphonic acid groups. This adjustment made the polymer water-insoluble, chemically steady, and reasonably conductive, even under heats and low humidity. The hydrophobic spacer likewise assisted push back water, protecting the product’s stability.
The brand-new polymer electrolyte membrane revealed much greater water insolubility in hot water than a polystyrene phosphonic acid membrane without hydrophobic spacers and a commercially offered cross-linked sulfonated polystyrene membrane.
Noro stated “Under conditions of 120 ° C and 20% relative humidity, the conductivity of the industrialized membrane reached 40 times greater than polystyrene phosphonic acid membrane and 4 times greater than cross-linked sulfonated polystyrene membrane.”
Comprehending how fuel cells break down with time
A fuel cell that runs under low-humidity and high-temperature conditions provides a number of benefits, specifically for fuel cell sturdy cars:
- Responses at the electrodes take place much faster at greater temperature levels, enhancing the fuel cell’s total efficiency and power generation performance.
- There is less carbon monoxide gas (CO) poisoning of the electrodes, as trace quantities of CO in the hydrogen fuel tend to adhere to the driver at lower temperature levels however not at greater temperature levels.
- Heats enable much better heat dissipation, which results in easier cooling system styles and removes the requirement for external humidification. This makes the system lighter and more compact.
According to the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), the proposed style principle marks a significant contribution to establishing next-generation fuel cells that support the shift to a net-zero carbon society.
Journal Reference:
- Takenori NakayamaTakato, KajitaMio Nishimoto, Haruka Tanaka, Katsumi Sato, Mayeesha Marium, Albert Mufundirwa, Hiroyuki Iwamoto, Atsushi Noro. Polymer Electrolyte Membranes of Polystyrene with Directly Bonded Alkylenephosphonate Groups on the Side Chains. ACS Applied Polymer MaterialsDOI: 10.1021/ acsapm.4 c02688
