Proton exchange membrane

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A proton exchange membrane or polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) is a semipermeable membrane generally made from ionomers and designed to conduct protons while being impermeable to gases such as oxygen or hydrogen.[1] This is their essential function when incorporated into a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell or of a proton exchange membrane electrolyser : separation of reactants and transport of protons.

PEMs can be made from either pure polymer membranes or from composite membranes where other materials are embedded in a polymer matrix. One of the most common and commercially available PEM materials is the fluoropolymer (PFSA)[2] Nafion, a DuPont product. [3] While Nafion is an ionomer with a perfluorinated backbone like Teflon,[4] there are many other structural motifs used to make ionomers for proton exchange membranes. Many use polyaromatic polymers while others use partially fluorinated polymers.

Proton exchange membranes are primarily characterized by proton conductivity (σ), methanol permeability (P), and thermal stability.[5]

PEM fuel cells use a solid polymer membrane (a thin plastic film) as the electrolyte. This polymer is permeable to protons when it is saturated with water, but it does not conduct electrons.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are believed to be the best type of fuel cell as the vehicular power source to eventually replace the gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines. They are being considered for automobile applications because they typically have an operating temperature of ~80 °C and a rapid start up time. PEMFCs operate at 40–60% efficiency and can vary the output to match the demands. First used in the 1960s for the NASA Gemini program, PEMFCs are currently being developed and demonstrated for systems ranging from 1 W to 2 kW.

PEMFCs contain advantages over other types of fuel cells such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). PEMFCs operate at a lower temperature, are lighter, and more compact, which makes them ideal for applications such as cars. However, some disadvantages are: the ~80 °C operating temperature is too low for cogeneration like in SOFCs and that the electrolyte for PEMFCs must be water saturated.

The fuel for the PEMFC is hydrogen and the charge carrier is the hydrogen ion (proton). At the anode, the hydrogen molecule is split into hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons. The hydrogen ions permeate across the electrolyte to the cathode while the electrons flow through an external circuit and produce electric power. Oxygen, usually in the form of air, is supplied to the cathode and combines with the electrons and the hydrogen ions to produce water. The reactions at the electrodes are as follows:

Anode reaction: 2H2 → 4H+ + 4e-
Cathode reaction: O2 + 4H+ + 4e- → 2H2O
Overall cell reaction: 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O

Commercial applications

In February, 2012 Belgian company Solvay announced the successful startup of a 1-megawatt PEM fuel cell system of 12,600 cells. Installed in Antwerp, it is fueled with the hydrogen by-product of chlorine created for vinyl manufacture.[6][7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Alternative electrochemical systems for ozonation of water". NASA Tech Briefs. July 2003. Retrieved 2008-07-18. 
  2. ↑ Zhiwei Yang et al. (2004). "Novel inorganic/organic hybrid electrolyte membranes" (PDF). Prepr. Pap.-Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem. 49 (2): 599. 
  3. ↑ US patent 5266421, Townsend, Carl W. & Naselow, Arthur B., "US Patent 5266421 – Enhanced membrane-electrode interface", issued 2008-11-30, assigned to Hughes Aircraft 
  4. ↑ Gabriel Gache (2007-12-17). "New Proton Exchange Membrane Developed – Nafion promises inexpensive fuel-cells". Softpedia. Retrieved 2008-07-18. 
  5. ↑ Nakhiah Goulbourne. "Research Topics for Materials and Processes for PEM Fuel Cells REU for 2008". Virginia Tech. Retrieved 2008-07-18. 
  6. ↑ "Solvay unveils Nedstack 1 MW PEM fuel cell in operation 06 February 2012". Renewable Energy Focus. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012. 
  7. ↑ "Solvay has successfully commissioned the largest PEM fuel cell in the world at Solvin's Antwerp plant". Reuters. February 6, 2012. 

External links


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