Research Progresses in Polymeric Proton Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells

Authors

Xu-po LIU, 1. Sustainable Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, Wuhan 430074, China;2. Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China;
Yun-feng ZHANG, 1. Sustainable Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, Wuhan 430074, China;Follow
Shao-feng DENG, 2. Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China;
De-li WANG, 2. Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China;Follow
Han-song CHENG, 1. Sustainable Energy Laboratory, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, Wuhan 430074, China;

Corresponding Author

Yun-feng ZHANG(zhangyf329@gmail.com);
De-li WANG(wangdl81125@hust.edu.cn)

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) is one of the key components in PEM fuel cells, which possesses the function of separating the cathode and anode, affording proton transport channels and preventing fuel permeability. The property of PEM significantly influences the performance and service life of fuel cells. Nowadays, the commercially used Nafion membranes have the shortcomings of serious fuel permeability, low proton conductivity at elevated temperature and high price, which limits the rapid development of PEM fuel cells. Therefore, it seems to be urgent to develop novel PEMs with low cost and good comprehensive properties. Polymeric proton exchange membrane is an important developing direction in the research field of PEMs. This review focuses on the recent progresses in polymeric proton exchange membrane from the perspective of molecular structure. The effects of main backbones, side chains and crosslinking networks on the membrane properties, such as phase separation, proton conductivity, stability and cell performance, are analyzed. The existing problems in molecular structure design of polymeric PEMs are also discussed. Finally, an outlook for future developing directions in polymeric proton exchange membrane applied in fuel cells is presented. By comparing the effect of different structures of polymeric PEMs on their properties, it is concluded that the property of polymeric PEMs can be improved by the following three strategies: (1) Preparing block copolymer or locally and densely sulfonated polymers. The method is beneficial for obtaining high proton conductivity by adjusting the structure of main backbones. (2) Grafting functional hydrophilic or hydrophobic side chains. By using the high mobility of side chains, obvious phase separation of PEMs can be obtained as well as high proton conductivity. Polymers containing hydrophobic side chains are widely utilized as anion exchange membranes, however, the studies in polymers containing hydrophobic side chains as PEMs are still few up to now. (3) Preparing fully crosslinking PEMs. The formed crosslinking networks guarantee high chemical and dimensional stabilities of PEMs, which is profitable for the long-time running of PEM fuel cells. The work aims to provide available guidance for the synthesis of novel polymeric PEMs and promote their practical applications.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

fuel cell, polymeric proton exchange membrane, molecular structure, phase separation, proton conductivity

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.13208/j.electrochem.181217

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Publication Date

2020-02-28

Online Available Date

2019-02-19

Revised Date

2019-02-16

Received Date

2018-12-17

Recommended Citation

Xu-po LIU, Yun-feng ZHANG, Shao-feng DENG, De-li WANG, Han-song CHENG. Research Progresses in Polymeric Proton Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, 2020 , 26(1): 103-120.
DOI: 10.13208/j.electrochem.181217
Available at: https://jelectrochem.xmu.edu.cn/journal/vol26/iss1/13