HYBRID INORGANIC/POLYMER IONOMERS FOR LOW RH FUEL CELL OPERATION.

摘要

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are still the most desirable component of future zero emission, high efficiency automobiles. However, their unit cost, ease of operation, and reliability must be reduced which includes eliminating the humidifier from the fuel cell system. Currently the commercial proton exchange membrane (PEM) is fabricated from a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer such as Nafion?. Unfortunately PFSA ionomers must be fully hydrated to achieve their maximum proton conductivities and practical levels of proton conductivity can only be achieved in vehicles operating at an inlet RH of 80% which still necessitates the use of a humidifier and undesirable complex water management and recoverysystems. To achieve the goal of a PEM that can operate at temperatures from freezing to 120oC using dry inlet gases it will be necessary to develop new PEMs that are based on new chemistries.