Advances in polybenzimidazole based membranes for fuel cell applications that overcome Nafion membranes constraints. (22nd August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maiti, Tushar Kanti; Singh, Jitendra; Majhi, Jagannath; Ahuja, Arihant; Maiti, Subrata; Dixit, Prakhar; Bhushan, Sakchi; Bandyopadhyay, Anasuya; Chattopadhyay, Sujay
• Is Part Of: Polymer. Volume 255(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08-22
• Subjects: Proton exchange membrane -- Fuel cell -- High temperature -- Polybenzimidazole -- Fossil fuel; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.125151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3861

Abstract

Abstract: High-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are becoming more appealing to researchers around the world due to several advantages such as high energy conversion efficiency, lightweight due to the use of polymeric materials, low noise due to the lack of mechanical components, zero or low emission of harmful greenhouse gases, simple design, first reaction kinetics, and simple water management. The performance, limitations, and possibilities for the practical implementation of different high-temperature proton exchange membranes (PEMs) utilized in fuel cells are discussed in this review paper. A suitable PEM must be developed to improve the performance of membrane electrode assemblies for high-temperature PEMFCs (working temperature above 100 °C). Various PEMs such as sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK), sulfonated polystyrene (SPS), sulfonated polyimide (SPI), sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU), phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole (PA-PBI), perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer-based membranes have been investigated as PEMs for fuel cell applications by several research groups. Among the various PEMs, PA-PBI membranes are the most promising high-temperature PEM for fuel cell applications because of their higher proton conductivity at high temperatures and anhydrous conditions, good chemical and thermal, mechanical stability, and high durability. However, the performance of high-temperature PEMs based on pristine PA-PBI is insufficient to fulfill the need for practical implementation of high-temperature PEMFCs, which needs to be enhanced further before they can be used commercially. Therefore, PA-PBI composite membranes containing various multifunctional inorganic, organic, and hybrid fillers are being actively explored to produce high-temperature PEMs. The PA-PBI composite membranes' proton conductivity increases with rising temperature and maintains conductivity in anhydrous conditions, as well as chemical, thermal, and oxidative stability under operating conditions and long-term performance stability. Graphical abstract: Image 1