scholarly journals Exploring the Structure–Performance Relationship of Sulfonated Polysulfone Proton Exchange Membrane by a Combined Computational and Experimental Approach

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 959
Author(s):  
Cataldo Simari ◽  
Mario Prejanò ◽  
Ernestino Lufrano ◽  
Emilia Sicilia ◽  
Isabella Nicotera
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Hydration Number ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Mechanical Resistance ◽  
Theoretical Simulation ◽  
Sulfonated Polysulfone

Sulfonated Polysulfone (sPSU) is emerging as a concrete alternative to Nafion ionomer for the development of proton exchange electrolytic membranes for low cost, environmentally friendly and high-performance PEM fuel cells. This ionomer has recently gained great consideration since it can effectively combine large availability on the market, excellent film-forming ability and remarkable thermo-mechanical resistance with interesting proton conductive properties. Despite the great potential, however, the morphological architecture of hydrated sPSU is still unknown. In this study, computational and experimental advanced tools are combined to preliminary describe the relationship between the microstructure of highly sulfonated sPSU (DS = 80%) and its physico-chemical, mechanical and electrochemical features. Computer simulations allowed for describing the architecture and to estimate the structural parameters of the sPSU membrane. Molecular dynamics revealed an interconnected lamellar-like structure for hydrated sPSU, with ionic clusters of about 14–18 Å in diameter corresponding to the hydrophilic sulfonic-acid-containing phase. Water dynamics were investigated by 1H Pulsed Field Gradient (PFG) NMR spectroscopy in a wide temperature range (20–120 °C) and the self-diffusion coefficients data were analyzed by a “two-sites” model. It allows to estimate the hydration number in excellent agreement with the theoretical simulation (e.g., about 8 mol H2O/mol SO3− @ 80 °C). The PEM performance was assessed in terms of dimensional, thermo-mechanical and electrochemical properties by swelling tests, DMA and EIS, respectively. The peculiar microstructure of sPSU provides a wider thermo-mechanical stability in comparison to Nafion, but lower dimensional and conductive features. Nonetheless, the single H2/O2 fuel cell assembled with sPSU exhibited better features than any earlier published hydrocarbon ionomers, thus opening interesting perspectives toward the design and preparation of high-performing sPSU-based PEMs.

Biased AC Electroosmosis Micropump for Water Management in PEM Fuel Cells

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazmul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Ac Electroosmosis ◽  
Micro Electro Mechanical Systems ◽  
Critical Issues

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are among the most promising fuel cell technologies. Recent experimental and numerical investigations [1–3] on PEM fuel cells (PEMFC) identified water management as one of the most critical issues for designing robust, high-performance PEM fuel cells. Proper water management within the cell is therefore essential, as dehydration of the membrane or flooding of the cathode result in increasing resistive losses. Flooding reduction in the fuel cell is commonly done by removing water with excessive reactant (H2 or O2) flow rates and elevated gas pressures. This mixture makes air delivery the largest parasitic load on fuel cells. Typically, this type of air delivery consumes more than 20% of the fuel cell power. As an alternative, we have developed a novel biased AC electroosmtic micropump for PEM fuel cell applications that can be fabricated with micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) compatible semiconductor micro-fabrication. This research paper will experimentally demonstrate the bi-directional pumping action that can prevent flooding, increase power density, and ensure stable performance of fuel cell by removing water from flooded regions and redistributing it to under-saturated regions.

scholarly journals Ladder-type sulfonated poly(arylene perfluoroalkylene)s for high performance proton exchange membrane fuel cells

RSC Advances ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (67) ◽  
pp. 41058-41064
Author(s):  
Zhi Long ◽  
Junpei Miyake ◽  
Kenji Miyatake
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Easy Method ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
Sulfonated Poly

Sulfone-bonded ladder-type sulfonated poly(arylene perfluoroalkylene)s (SPAF-P-Lad) were synthesized by an easy method to achieve high thermo-mechanical stability, proton conductivity, fuel cell performance and remarkable in situ durability.

scholarly journals ZIF-derived Co–N–C ORR catalyst with high performance in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 855-860
Author(s):  
Ruixiang Wang ◽  
Pengyang Zhang ◽  
Yucheng Wang ◽  
Yuesheng Wang ◽  
Karim Zaghib ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Exchange Membrane

scholarly journals Reduced Graphene Oxide-Supported Pt-Based Catalysts for PEM Fuel Cells with Enhanced Activity and Stability

Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 256
Author(s):  
Irina V. Pushkareva ◽  
Artem S. Pushkarev ◽  
Valery N. Kalinichenko ◽  
Ratibor G. Chumakov ◽  
Maksim A. Soloviev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graphene Oxide ◽  
Reduced Graphene Oxide ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Polyol Process ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Active Surface Area ◽  
Electrochemical Performances ◽  
Simultaneous Reduction ◽  
Reduced Graphene

Platinum (Pt)-based electrocatalysts supported by reduced graphene oxide (RGO) were synthesized using two different methods, namely: (i) a conventional two-step polyol process using RGO as the substrate, and (ii) a modified polyol process implicating the simultaneous reduction of a Pt nanoparticle precursor and graphene oxide (GO). The structure, morphology, and electrochemical performances of the obtained Pt/RGO catalysts were studied and compared with a reference Pt/carbon black Vulcan XC-72 (C) sample. It was shown that the Pt/RGO obtained by the optimized simultaneous reduction process had higher Pt utilization and electrochemically active surface area (EASA) values, and a better performance stability. The use of this catalyst at the cathode of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) led to an increase in its maximum power density of up to 17%, and significantly enhanced its performance especially at high current densities. It is possible to conclude that the optimized synthesis procedure allows for a more uniform distribution of the Pt nanoparticles and ensures better binding of the particles to the surface of the support. The advantages of Pt/RGO synthesized in this way over conventional Pt/C are the high electrical conductivity and specific surface area provided by RGO, as well as a reduction in the percolation limit of the components of the electrocatalytic layer due to the high aspect ratio of RGO.

scholarly journals High-Performance Graphene Coating on Titanium Bipolar Plates in Fuel Cells via Cathodic Electrophoretic Deposition

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 437
Author(s):  
Yi Liu ◽  
Luofu Min ◽  
Wen Zhang ◽  
Yuxin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Graphene Oxide ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Electrophoretic Deposition ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Corrosion Current ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Bipolar Plates ◽  
Modified Graphene Oxide ◽  
Bare Titanium

In this article, we proposed a facile method to electrophoretically deposit a highly conductive and corrosion-resistant graphene layer on metal bipolar plates (BPs) while avoiding the oxidation of the metal substrate during the electrophoretic deposition (EPD). p-Phenylenediamine (PPD) was first grafted onto negatively charged graphene oxide (GO) to obtain modified graphene oxide (MGO) while bearing positive charges. Then, MGO dispersed in ethanol was coated on titanium plates via cathodic EPD under a constant voltage, followed by reducing the deposited MGO with H2 at 400 °C, gaining a titanium plate coated with reduced MGO (RMGO@Ti). Under the simulated environment of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), RMGO@Ti presents a corrosion current of < 10−6 A·cm−2, approximately two orders of magnitude lower than that of bare titanium. Furthermore, the interfacial contact resistance (ICR) of RMGO@Ti is as low as 4 mΩ·cm2, which is about one-thirtieth that of bare titanium. Therefore, RMGO@Ti appears very promising for use as BP in PEMFCs.

scholarly journals Direct coherent multi-ink printing of fabric supercapacitors

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. eabd6978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingxin Zhao ◽  
Hongyu Lu ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Shixiong Yu ◽  
Oleksandr I. Malyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
System Integration ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Wearable Electronics ◽  
Energy Storage Devices ◽  
Fabrication Procedure ◽  
Self Powered ◽  
Mechanical Devices

Coaxial fiber-shaped supercapacitors with short charge carrier diffusion paths are highly desirable as high-performance energy storage devices for wearable electronics. However, the traditional approaches based on the multistep fabrication processes for constructing the fiber-shaped energy device still encounter persistent restrictions in fabrication procedure, scalability, and mechanical durability. To overcome this critical challenge, an all-in-one coaxial fiber-shaped asymmetric supercapacitor (FASC) device is realized by a direct coherent multi-ink writing three-dimensional printing technology via designing the internal structure of the coaxial needles and regulating the rheological property and the feed rates of the multi-ink. Benefitting from the compact coaxial structure, the FASC device delivers a superior areal energy/power density at a high mass loading, and outstanding mechanical stability. As a conceptual exhibition for system integration, the FASC device is integrated with mechanical units and pressure sensor to realize high-performance self-powered mechanical devices and monitoring systems, respectively.

scholarly journals Magnesium Oxychloride Cement Composites with MWCNT for the Construction Applications

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 484
Author(s):  
Michal Lojka ◽  
Anna-Marie Lauermannová ◽  
David Sedmidubský ◽  
Milena Pavlíková ◽  
Martina Záleská ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Mechanical Resistance ◽  
Cement Composites ◽  
Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Magnesium Oxychloride ◽  
Magnesium Oxychloride Cement ◽  
Phase And Chemical Composition ◽  
Walled Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Oxychloride Cement

In this contribution, composite materials based on magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) used as an additive were prepared and characterized. The prepared composites contained 0.5 and 1 wt.% of MWCNTs, and these samples were compared with the pure MOC Phase 5 reference. The composites were characterized using a broad spectrum of analytical methods to determine the phase and chemical composition, morphology, and thermal behavior. In addition, the basic structural parameters, pore size distribution, mechanical strength, stiffness, and hygrothermal performance of the composites, aged 14 days, were also the subject of investigation. The MWCNT-doped composites showed high compactness, increased mechanical resistance, stiffness, and water resistance, which is crucial for their application in the construction industry and their future use in the design and development of alternative building products.

scholarly journals Flexible and efficient perovskite quantum dot solar cells via hybrid interfacial architecture

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Hu ◽  
Qian Zhao ◽  
Shujuan Huang ◽  
Jianghui Zheng ◽  
Xinwei Guan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Solar Cells ◽  
Quantum Dot ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Mechanical Adhesion ◽  
Perovskite Quantum Dots ◽  
Efficient Charge ◽  
Photovoltaic Technologies

AbstractAll-inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite quantum dots have received substantial research interest for photovoltaic applications because of higher efficiency compared to solar cells using other quantum dots materials and the various exciting properties that perovskites have to offer. These quantum dot devices also exhibit good mechanical stability amongst various thin-film photovoltaic technologies. We demonstrate higher mechanical endurance of quantum dot films compared to bulk thin film and highlight the importance of further research on high-performance and flexible optoelectronic devices using nanoscale grains as an advantage. Specifically, we develop a hybrid interfacial architecture consisting of CsPbI3 quantum dot/PCBM heterojunction, enabling an energy cascade for efficient charge transfer and mechanical adhesion. The champion CsPbI3 quantum dot solar cell has an efficiency of 15.1% (stabilized power output of 14.61%), which is among the highest report to date. Building on this strategy, we further demonstrate a highest efficiency of 12.3% in flexible quantum dot photovoltaics.

scholarly journals A Critical Review for an Accurate Electrochemical Stability Window Measurement of Solid Polymer and Composite Electrolytes

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 3840
Author(s):  
Adrien Méry ◽  
Steeve Rousselot ◽  
David Lepage ◽  
Mickaël Dollé
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Conductivity ◽  
Energy Density ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Mechanical Stability ◽  
Electrochemical Stability ◽  
Solid Polymer Electrolytes ◽  
Solid Polymer ◽  
Composite Electrolytes ◽  
Battery System ◽  
Electrochemical Stability Window

All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLB) are very promising for the future development of next generation lithium battery systems due to their increased energy density and improved safety. ASSLB employing Solid Polymer Electrolytes (SPE) and Solid Composite Electrolytes (SCE) in particular have attracted significant attention. Among the several expected requirements for a battery system (high ionic conductivity, safety, mechanical stability), increasing the energy density and the cycle life relies on the electrochemical stability window of the SPE or SCE. Most published works target the importance of ionic conductivity (undoubtedly a crucial parameter) and often identify the Electrochemical Stability Window (ESW) of the electrolyte as a secondary parameter. In this review, we first present a summary of recent publications on SPE and SCE with a particular focus on the analysis of their electrochemical stability. The goal of the second part is to propose a review of optimized and improved electrochemical methods, leading to a better understanding and a better evaluation of the ESW of the SPE and the SCE which is, once again, a critical parameter for high stability and high performance ASSLB applications.

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