Nano-Structured Solid Electrolyte Membranes for Alkaline Fuel Cells

The objective of this research is to develop nano-structured solid electrolytes for alkaline fuel cells (AFCs). Many fuels exhibit higher catalytic activity in a high pH media and it is possible to employ less expensive non-Pt catalysts in an AFC. Along with the wide catalyst choice, development of a cost-effective, low fuel cross-over solid electrolyte is a key indicator for future commercialization. This proposal aims at analyzing nano-structure of organic and inorganic minor component to fabricate tailor-made electrolytes for various fuels (alcohols, hydrazine, direct borate, etc.) This proposal is a continued research from previous NSC project. In the previous years, we have prepared poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-fumed silica and PVA-carbon nano-tubes composites for the direct methanol alkaline fuel cell applications and obtained highest cell performance among literature data for direct methanol alkaline fuel cells. The fuel cell voltage and power density using this electrolyte outperformed the pristine PVA membrane and other literature data. The PI of this proposal (Prof. S. Jessie Lue) is an internationally known researcher in this field. In year 2011 alone, she has publishes 10 SCI/EI published papers as the first author/corresponding author, and with an average impact factor of 3.59 for the papers published in 2010-2011. In this proposal it is intended to further explore various modification methods for electrolytes to better suit different fuels used in alkaline fuel cells. Maintaining high conductivity via appropriate nano-channel design and suppression fuel cross-over are the ultimate targets. The protocol developed from this research will be used as guidelines for future material development.

Project ID:PB10108-2696
External Project ID:NSC101-2221-E182-064-MY2