The effect of different environments on Nafion degradation: Quantum mechanics study

Development of High-Performance Hydrogen-Air Fuel Cell with Flourine-Free Sulfonated Co-Polynaphthoyleneimide Membrane

This paper presents research on the technological development of hydrogen-air fuel cells with high output power characteristics using fluorine-free co-polynaphtoyleneimide (co-PNIS) membranes. It is found that the optimal operating temperature of a fuel cell based on a co-PNIS membrane with the hydrophilic/hydrophobic blocks = 70/30 composition is in the range of 60-65 °C. The maximum output power of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), created according to the developed technology, is 535 mW/cm², and the working power (at the cell voltage of 0.6 V) is 415 mW/cm². A comparison with similar characteristics of MEAs based on a commercial Nafion 212 membrane shows that the values of operating performance are almost the same, and the maximum MEA output power of a fluorine-free membrane is only ~20% lower. It was concluded that the developed technology allows one to create competitive fuel cells based on a fluorine-free, cost-effective co-polynaphthoyleneimide membrane.

Homogeneous Carbon Dot-Anchored Fe(III) Catalysts with Self-Regulated Proton Transfer for Recyclable Fenton Chemistry

Fenton chemistry has been widely studied in a broad range from geochemistry, chemical oxidation to tumor chemodynamic therapy. It was well established that Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ resulted in a sluggish initial rate or even inactivity. Herein, we report the homogeneous carbon dot-anchored Fe(III) catalysts (CD-COOFe^III) wherein CD-COOFe^III active center activates H₂O₂ to produce hydroxyl radicals (^•OH) reaching 105 times larger than that of the Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ system. The key is the ^•OH flux produced from the O-O bond reductive cleavage boosting by the high electron-transfer rate constants of CD defects and its self-regulated proton-transfer behavior probed by operando ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in D₂O and kinetic isotope effects, respectively. Organic molecules interact with CD-COOFe^III via hydrogen bonds, promoting the electron-transfer rate constants during the redox reaction of CD defects. The antibiotics removal efficiency in the CD-COOFe^III/H₂O₂ system is at least 51 times large than the Fe³⁺/H₂O₂ system under equivalent conditions. Our findings provide a new pathway for traditional Fenton chemistry.

Theoretical Investigation of the H2O2-Induced Degradation Mechanism of Hydrated Nafion Membrane via Ether-Linkage Dissociation

A H₂O₂-induced degradation mechanism is presented for the hydrated Nafion membrane proceeding through the dissociation of the ether linkages of the side chains. Although the durability of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells clearly depends on the degradation rate of the membrane, typically Nafion, the degradation mechanism still has not been resolved. It has often been assumed that the principal mode of degradation involves OH^• radicals; in contrast, we show here that a H₂O₂-induced degradation mechanism is more likely. On the basis of state-of-the-art theoretical calculations and detailed comparison with experimental results, we present such a mechanism for the hydrated Nafion membrane, proceeding through the dissociation of the ether linkage of the side chains, with a relatively low activation energy. In this mechanism, (H₂O)_λHO₃S-CF₂-CF₂-O-O-H (λ is the hydration number) is obtained as a key degradation fragment. Possible subsequent decomposition-reaction mechanisms are also elucidated for this fragment. The calculated vibrational spectra for the intermediates and products proposed in these mechanisms were found to be consistent with the experimental IR spectra. Further consideration of this H₂O₂-mediated degradation mechanism could greatly facilitate the search for ways to combat membrane degradation.

Modeling and simulation of membrane process

The article presents the different approaches to polymer membrane mathematical modeling. Traditional models based on experimental physicochemical correlations and balance models are presented in the first part. Quantum and molecular mechanics models are presented as they are more popular for polymer membranes in fuel cells. The initial part is enclosed by neural network models which found their use for different types of processes in polymer membranes. The second part is devoted to models of fluid dynamics. The computational fluid dynamics technique can be divided into solving of Navier-Stokes equations and into Boltzmann lattice models. Both approaches are presented focusing on membrane processes.

Characterization of the thermolysis products of Nafion membrane: A potential source of perfluorinated compounds in the environment

The thermal decomposition of Nafion N117 membrane, a typical perfluorosulfonic acid membrane that is widely used in various chemical technologies, was investigated in this study. Structural identification of thermolysis products in water and methanol was performed using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS). The fluoride release was studied using an ion-chromatography system, and the membrane thermal stability was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis. Notably, several types of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) including perfluorocarboxylic acids were detected and identified. Based on these data, a thermolysis mechanism was proposed involving cleavage of both the polymer backbone and its side chains by attack of radical species. This is the first systematic report on the thermolysis products of Nafion by simulating its high-temperature operation and disposal process via incineration. The results of this study indicate that Nafion is a potential environmental source of PFCs, which have attracted growing interest and concern in recent years. Additionally, this study provides an analytical justification of the LC/ESI-MS/MS method for characterizing the degradation products of polymer electrolyte membranes. These identifications can substantially facilitate an understanding of their decomposition mechanisms and offer insight into the proper utilization and effective management on these membranes.

Selective formation of hydrogen and hydroxyl radicals by electron beam irradiation and their reactivity with perfluorosulfonated acid ionomer

Selective formation and reactivity of hydrogen (H(•)) and hydroxyl (HO(•)) radicals with perfluorinated sulfonated ionomer membrane, Nafion 211, is described. Selective formation of radicals was achieved by electron beam irradiation of aqueous solutions of H2O2 or H2SO4 to form HO(•) and H(•), respectively, and confirmed by ESR spectroscopy using a spin trap. The structure of Nafion 211 after reaction with H(•) or HO(•) was determined using calibrated (19)F magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy. Soluble residues of degradation were analyzed by liquid and solid-state NMR. NMR and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, together with determination of ion exchange capacity, water uptake, proton conductivity, and fluoride ion release, strongly indicate that attack by H(•) occurs at the tertiary carbon C-F bond on both the main and side chain; whereas attack by HO(•) occurs solely on the side chain, specifically, the α-O-C bond.