TY - JOUR
T1 - Electrochemical performance of poly(arylene piperidinium) membranes and ionomers in anion exchange membrane fuel cells
AU - Novalin, Timon
AU - Pan, Dong
AU - Lindbergh, Göran
AU - Lagergren, Carina
AU - Jannasch, Patric
AU - Wreland Lindstrom, Rakel
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Awakening interest in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC) for low temperature applications has led to an increased demand for high-performing polymers stable under alkaline conditions. In this study a poly(p-terphenylene piperidinium)-based (PAP) membrane and ionomer was synthesised and applied in membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), with porous gas-diffusion electrodes based on Pt catalysts supported by VULCAN® and high surface area carbon, respectively. The MEAs were evaluated in AEMFC single-cell tests. In order to identify specific beneficial characteristics of the polymer, the results were compared to reference tests using a commercial Aemion™-polymer. Steady-state polarisation performance measurements were carried out as well as electrode characterisations via cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, in addition to ex-situ characterisation of the polymer and the membrane electrode assemblies. PAP-based membranes showed great potential with an in-situ measured average ohmic resistance of 0.09 Ω cm2. Mass transport limitations at higher current densities were observed for high surface area carbon electrodes, leading to an overall higher performance with the use of VULCAN®. Properties of the ionomer related to water uptake capabilities were observed to inhibit performance as well. The higher water uptake of PAP-based ionomers appears to be a key property for increasing electrode performance.
AB - Awakening interest in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC) for low temperature applications has led to an increased demand for high-performing polymers stable under alkaline conditions. In this study a poly(p-terphenylene piperidinium)-based (PAP) membrane and ionomer was synthesised and applied in membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), with porous gas-diffusion electrodes based on Pt catalysts supported by VULCAN® and high surface area carbon, respectively. The MEAs were evaluated in AEMFC single-cell tests. In order to identify specific beneficial characteristics of the polymer, the results were compared to reference tests using a commercial Aemion™-polymer. Steady-state polarisation performance measurements were carried out as well as electrode characterisations via cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, in addition to ex-situ characterisation of the polymer and the membrane electrode assemblies. PAP-based membranes showed great potential with an in-situ measured average ohmic resistance of 0.09 Ω cm2. Mass transport limitations at higher current densities were observed for high surface area carbon electrodes, leading to an overall higher performance with the use of VULCAN®. Properties of the ionomer related to water uptake capabilities were observed to inhibit performance as well. The higher water uptake of PAP-based ionomers appears to be a key property for increasing electrode performance.
KW - Fuel cell
KW - Anion exchange membrane
KW - Anion exchange ionomer
KW - Poly(arylene piperidinium)
KW - Single-cell test
KW - Electrode structure
U2 - 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2021.230287
DO - 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2021.230287
M3 - Article
SN - 0378-7753
VL - 507
JO - Journal of Power Sources
JF - Journal of Power Sources
M1 - 230287
ER -