NICOP - Design of Ultrahigh Proton Conductive Materials Operating under Low Relative Humidity and Elevated Temperatures
Abstract
Design of Ultrahigh Proton Conductive Materials Operating under Low Relative Humidity and Elevated Temperatures:The development of novel electrolytes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells has received considerable attention owing to the need for alternative energy technologies. Traditional electrolyte materials, such as fully hydrated Nafion, are capable of reaching proton conductivities of 0.1 S cm-1 at 80 ~C. However, to reach these levels, the material must remain in a relatively high humid environment. This poses significant challenges, including high costs associated with maintaining the appropriate level of humidity as well as the possibility of flooding the cathode leading to a loss in fuel cell performance. The obtained MOFs and ZIFs are expected to maintain high proton conductivity and long-term chemical and mechanical stability at elevated temperatures (75-95 ~C) and low relative humidity (RH< 60%) in oxidizing and reducing environments. The electrolyte and membrane materials based on these new MOFs and ZIFs can help to overcome current issues correlating with PEMFCs using conventional Nafion membranes, normally malfunctioned due to the membrane dehydration under low relative humidity and high temperature, leading to significant increase of the membrane resistance, and consequently, decrease of fuel cell performance. b. Fuel cells remain a viable energy conversion device for use in DoD/DON applications including ISR, UAV, UUV and other applications. The need to further research into proton conducting materials is an essential part of increasing the possibility of applications for fuel cells. c. Code 33 d. The aim of this project is to develop new metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with high proton conductivity (order of 10-2 S cm-1) at practically operating conditions for the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), such as low relative humidity (< 60%) and high temperature (75-95~C)
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2016
- Source ID
- N629091612146
Entities
People
- Thach Tu
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy