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Electrospun Composite Proton-Exchange and Anion-Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells. ENERGIES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/en14206709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel and oxidant into electricity. Cation-exchange and anion-exchange membranes play an important role in hydrogen fed proton-exchange membrane (PEM) and anion-exchange membrane (AEM) fuel cells, respectively. Over the past 10 years, there has been growing interest in using nanofiber electrospinning to fabricate fuel cell PEMs and AEMs with improved properties, e.g., a high ion conductivity with low in-plane water swelling and good mechanical strength under wet and dry conditions. Electrospinning is used to create either reinforcing scaffolds that can be pore-filled with an ionomer or precursor mats of interwoven ionomer and reinforcing polymers, which after suitable processing (densification) form a functional membrane. In this review paper, methods of nanofiber composite PEMs and AEMs fabrication are reviewed and the properties of these membranes are discussed and contrasted with the properties of fuel cell membranes prepared using conventional methods. The information and discussions contained herein are intended to provide inspiration for the design of high-performance next-generation fuel cell ion-exchange membranes.
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Hamada T, Zhao Y, Yoshimura K, Radulescu A, Ohwada K, Maekawa Y. Hydrophobic Effect on Alkaline Stability of Graft Chains in Ammonium‐type Anion Exchange Membranes Prepared by Radiation‐Induced Graft Polymerization. ChemistrySelect 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202102045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Hamada
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) 1233 Watanuki Takasaki Gunma 370-1292 Japan
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering Hiroshima University 1-4-1 Kagamiyama Higashi Hiroshima 739-8527 Japan
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) 1233 Watanuki Takasaki Gunma 370-1292 Japan
| | - Kimio Yoshimura
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) 1233 Watanuki Takasaki Gunma 370-1292 Japan
| | - Aurel Radulescu
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Lichtenbergstraße 1 D-85747 Garching Germany
| | - Kenji Ohwada
- Synchrotron Radiation Research Center Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) 1-1-1 Kouto Sayo Hyogo 679-5148 Japan
| | - Yasunari Maekawa
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) 1233 Watanuki Takasaki Gunma 370-1292 Japan
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Hamada T, Yoshimura K, Takeuchi K, Watanabe S, Zhao Y, Hiroki A, Hagiwara T, Shishitani H, Yamaguchi S, Tanaka H, Radulescu A, Ohwada K, Maekawa Y. Synthesis and Characterization of 4‐Vinylimidazolium/Styrene‐Cografted Anion‐Conducting Electrolyte Membranes. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.202100028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Hamada
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) 1233 Watanuki, Takasaki Gunma 370‐1292 Japan
| | - Kimio Yoshimura
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) 1233 Watanuki, Takasaki Gunma 370‐1292 Japan
| | - Kota Takeuchi
- Graduate School of Science and Technology Gunma University 1‐5‐1 Tenjin‐cho, Kiryu Gunma 376‐8515 Japan
| | - Shun Watanabe
- Graduate School of Engineering Saitama Institute of Technology 1690 Fusaiji, Fukaya Saitama 369‐0293 Japan
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) 1233 Watanuki, Takasaki Gunma 370‐1292 Japan
| | - Akihiro Hiroki
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) 1233 Watanuki, Takasaki Gunma 370‐1292 Japan
| | - Tokio Hagiwara
- Graduate School of Engineering Saitama Institute of Technology 1690 Fusaiji, Fukaya Saitama 369‐0293 Japan
| | - Hideyuki Shishitani
- Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. 3000 Ohaza Yamanoue, Ryuo Gamo Shiga 520‐2593 Japan
| | - Susumu Yamaguchi
- Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. 3000 Ohaza Yamanoue, Ryuo Gamo Shiga 520‐2593 Japan
| | - Hirohisa Tanaka
- Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. 3000 Ohaza Yamanoue, Ryuo Gamo Shiga 520‐2593 Japan
| | - Aurel Radulescu
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich Centre for Neutron Science@MLZ Lichtenbergstraße 1 Garching D‐85747 Germany
| | - Kenji Ohwada
- Synchrotron Radiation Research Center Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) 1‐1‐1 Kouto, Sayo Hyogo 679‐5148 Japan
| | - Yasunari Maekawa
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute Quantum Beam Science Research Directorate National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) 1233 Watanuki, Takasaki Gunma 370‐1292 Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Technology Gunma University 1‐5‐1 Tenjin‐cho, Kiryu Gunma 376‐8515 Japan
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Lim KL, Wong CY, Wong WY, Loh KS, Selambakkannu S, Othman NAF, Yang H. Radiation-Grafted Anion-Exchange Membrane for Fuel Cell and Electrolyzer Applications: A Mini Review. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:397. [PMID: 34072048 PMCID: PMC8228207 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11060397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This review discusses the roles of anion exchange membrane (AEM) as a solid-state electrolyte in fuel cell and electrolyzer applications. It highlights the advancement of existing fabrication methods and emphasizes the importance of radiation grafting methods in improving the properties of AEM. The development of AEM has been focused on the improvement of its physicochemical properties, including ionic conductivity, ion exchange capacity, water uptake, swelling ratio, etc., and its thermo-mechano-chemical stability in high-pH and high-temperature conditions. Generally, the AEM radiation grafting processes are considered green synthesis because they are usually performed at room temperature and practically eliminated the use of catalysts and toxic solvents, yet the final products are homogeneous and high quality. The radiation grafting technique is capable of modifying the hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains to control the ionic properties of membrane as well as its water uptake and swelling ratio without scarifying its mechanical properties. Researchers also showed that the chemical stability of AEMs can be improved by grafting spacers onto base polymers. The effects of irradiation dose and dose rate on the performance of AEM were discussed. The long-term stability of membrane in alkaline solutions remains the main challenge to commercial use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kean Long Lim
- Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia; (C.Y.W.); (W.Y.W.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Chun Yik Wong
- Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia; (C.Y.W.); (W.Y.W.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Wai Yin Wong
- Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia; (C.Y.W.); (W.Y.W.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Kee Shyuan Loh
- Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia; (C.Y.W.); (W.Y.W.); (K.S.L.)
| | - Sarala Selambakkannu
- Radiation Processing Technology Division, Malaysia Nuclear Agency, Kajang 43000, Malaysia; (S.S.); (N.A.F.O.)
| | - Nor Azillah Fatimah Othman
- Radiation Processing Technology Division, Malaysia Nuclear Agency, Kajang 43000, Malaysia; (S.S.); (N.A.F.O.)
| | - Hsiharng Yang
- Graduate Institute of Precision Engineering and Innovation and Development Center of Sustainable Agriculture (IDCSA), National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xingda Road, South District, Taichung City 402, Taiwan
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Zhao Y, Yoshimura K, Mahmoud AMA, Yu HC, Okushima S, Hiroki A, Kishiyama Y, Shishitani H, Yamaguchi S, Tanaka H, Noda Y, Koizumi S, Radulescu A, Maekawa Y. A long side chain imidazolium-based graft-type anion-exchange membrane: novel electrolyte and alkaline-durable properties and structural elucidation using SANS contrast variation. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:8128-8143. [PMID: 32735002 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00947d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Newly designed styrylimidazolium-based grafted anion-exchange membranes (StIm-AEMs), in which imidazolium ionic groups are attached to styrene at the far side from the graft chains, were prepared by radiation-induced graft polymerization of p-(2-imidazoliumyl) styrene onto poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoloethylene) (ETFE) films, followed by N-alkylation and ion-exchange reactions. StIm-AEM having an ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 0.54 mmol g-1 with a grafting degree (GD) of ∼18%, possesses practical conductivity (>50 mS cm-1) even with a very low water uptake (∼10%) and high stability over 600 h in a 1 M KOH solution at 80 °C. There exists a critical IEC (IECc) in the range of 0.7-0.8 mmol g-1 over which the membrane showed high water uptake, which resulted in pronounced susceptibility to hydrolysis. Using small-angle neutron scattering technique with a contrast variation method, we found the hydrophilic phase in StIm-AEMs with IECs lower and higher than IECc shows "reverse-micelles" with water domains dispersed in the polymer matrix and "micelles" with graft polymer aggregates dispersed in the water matrix, respectively. The further analysis of micelle structures using the hard-sphere liquid model and Porod limit analysis reveals that the interfacial structures of ionic groups are essential for the electrochemical properties and durability of StIm-AEMs. In addition, StIm-AEM with an IEC of 0.95 mmol g-1 and the maximum power density of 80 mW cm-2 in the hydrazine hydrate fuel cell test, exhibited long-term durability under constant current (8.0 mA) up to 455 h, which, thus far, is the best durability at 80 °C for platinum-free alkaline-type liquid fuel cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhao
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research, Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Watanuki-machi 1233, Takasaki, Gunma, 370-1292, Japan.
| | - Kimio Yoshimura
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research, Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Watanuki-machi 1233, Takasaki, Gunma, 370-1292, Japan.
| | - Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research, Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Watanuki-machi 1233, Takasaki, Gunma, 370-1292, Japan.
| | - Hwan-Chul Yu
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research, Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Watanuki-machi 1233, Takasaki, Gunma, 370-1292, Japan.
| | - Shun Okushima
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research, Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Watanuki-machi 1233, Takasaki, Gunma, 370-1292, Japan.
| | - Akihiro Hiroki
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research, Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Watanuki-machi 1233, Takasaki, Gunma, 370-1292, Japan.
| | | | | | | | - Hirohisa Tanaka
- School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, 2-1 Gakuen, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1337, Japan
| | - Yohei Noda
- Department of Engineering, Ibaraki University, Hitachi 316-8511, Japan
| | - Satoshi Koizumi
- Department of Engineering, Ibaraki University, Hitachi 316-8511, Japan
| | - Aurel Radulescu
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich Centre for Neutron Science@MLZ, Lichtenbergstraße 1, D-85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Yasunari Maekawa
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research, Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Watanuki-machi 1233, Takasaki, Gunma, 370-1292, Japan.
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Structure-transport relationships of poly(aryl piperidinium) anion-exchange membranes: Eeffect of anions and hydration. J Memb Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2019.117680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Alkaline durable 2-methylimidazolium containing anion-conducting electrolyte membranes synthesized by radiation-induced grafting for direct hydrazine hydrate fuel cells. J Memb Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Yoshimura K, Zhao Y, Hiroki A, Kishiyama Y, Shishitani H, Yamaguchi S, Tanaka H, Koizumi S, Houston JE, Radulescu A, Appavou MS, Richter D, Maekawa Y. Reverse relationships of water uptake and alkaline durability with hydrophilicity of imidazolium-based grafted anion-exchange membranes. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:9118-9131. [PMID: 30234879 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01650j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We found unprecedented reverse relationships in anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) for Pt-free alkaline fuel cell systems, i.e., the increase in hydrophobicity increased water uptake and susceptibility to hydrolysis. AEMs with graft copolymers that composed of anion-conducting 2-methyl-N-vinylimidazolium (Im) and hydrophobic styrene (St) units were employed. We characterized two new structures in these AEMs using a small-angle neutron scattering with a contrast variation method. (1) The distribution of graft polymers in conducting (ion channel) or non-conducting (hydrophobic amorphous poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE)) phase was evaluated in a quantitative manner. High fraction in conducting layer for AEMs having high grafting degrees was found using the proposed structural model of "conducting/non-conducting two-phase system". (2) Assuming a hard-sphere fluid model, we found AEMs having high St contents and low alkaline durability possessed nanophase-separated water puddles with diameters of 3-4 nm. The AEM having a low St content and the best alkaline durability did not show evident nanophase separation. The above hierarchical structures elucidate the unexpected reverse relationships that the AEM having highly hydrophobic graft polymers was subjected to the morphological transition to give water puddles at nanoscale. The imidazolium groups that were located at the boundary between graft polymers and water puddles should be susceptible to hydrolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimio Yoshimura
- Department of Advanced Functional Materials Research, Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Watanuki-machi 1233, Takasaki, Gunma 370-1292, Japan.
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Yang Q, Li L, Lin CX, Gao XL, Zhao CH, Zhang QG, Zhu AM, Liu QL. Hyperbranched poly(arylene ether ketone) anion exchange membranes for fuel cells. J Memb Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2018.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Kwasny MT, Zhu L, Hickner MA, Tew GN. Thermodynamics of Counterion Release Is Critical for Anion Exchange Membrane Conductivity. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:7961-7969. [PMID: 29901997 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b03979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
As the field of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) employs an increasing variety of cations, a critical understanding of cation properties must be obtained, especially as they relate to membrane ion conductivity. Here, to elucidate such properties, metal cation-based AEMs, featuring bis(norbornene) nickel, ruthenium, or cobalt complexes, were synthesized and characterized. In addition, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was used to probe counterion exchange thermodynamics in order to understand previously reported differences in conductivity. The ion conductivity data reported here further demonstrated that nickel-complex cations had higher conductivity as compared to their ruthenium and cobalt counterparts. Surprisingly, bulk hydration number, ion concentration, ion exchange capacity, and activation energy were not sufficient to explain differences in conductivity, so the thermodynamics of metal cation-counterion association were explored using ITC. Specifically, for the nickel cation as compared to the other two metal-based cations, a larger thermodynamic driving force for chloride counterion release was observed, shown through a smaller Δ Htot for counterion exchange, which indicated weaker cation-counterion association. The use of ITC to study cation-counterion association was further exemplified by characterizing more traditional AEM cations, such as quaternary ammoniums and an imidazolium cation, which demonstrated small variances in their enthalpic response, but an overall Δ Htot similar to that of the nickel-based cation. The cation hydration, rather than its hydration shell or the bulk hydration of the membrane, likely played the key role in determining the strength of the initial cation-counterion pair. This report identifies for the first time how ITC can be used to experimentally determine thermodynamic quantities that are key parameters for understanding and predicting conductivity in AEMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Kwasny
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering , University of Massachusetts Amherst , Amherst , Massachusetts 01003 , United States
| | - Liang Zhu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - Michael A Hickner
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , Pennsylvania 16802 , United States
| | - Gregory N Tew
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering , University of Massachusetts Amherst , Amherst , Massachusetts 01003 , United States
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