3D‐Zipped Interface: In Situ Covalent‐Locking for High Performance of Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Advanced Science

Jianjun Zhang¹  Fangmeng Sheng¹  Yubin He¹  Weisheng Yu¹  Tongwen Xu¹  Mai Xu¹  Liang Wu¹  Muhammad A. Shehzad¹  Xiaolin Ge¹  Chengpeng Wei¹  Xian Liang¹  Wanjie Song¹  Zijuan Ge¹  John R. Varcoe²  Rachida Bance‐Soualhi²  Jinlan Peng³ 

[1] CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials Department of Applied Chemistry School of Chemistry and Materials Science University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 P. R. China;Department of Chemistry University of Surrey Guildford Surrey GU2 7XH UK;The Center for Micro‐ and Nanoscale Research and Fabrication University of Science and Technology of China 96 Jinzhai Road Hefei Anhui 230026 P. R. China;

关键词: catalyst layers;    fuel cells;    membrane electrode assembly;    interfaces;    ionomers;   

DOI  :  10.1002/advs.202102637

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells can generate high power using a potentially green fuel (H2) and zero emissions of greenhouse gas (CO2). However, significant mass transport resistances in the interface region of the membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), between the membrane and the catalyst layers remains a barrier to achieving MEAs with high power densities and long‐term stabilities. Here, a 3D‐interfacial zipping concept is presented to overcome this challenge. Vinylbenzyl‐terminated bi‐cationic quaternary‐ammonium‐based polyelectrolyte is employed as both the anionomer in the anion‐exchange membrane (AEM) and catalyst layers. A quaternary‐ammonium‐containing covalently locked interface is formed by thermally induced inter‐crosslinking of the terminal vinyl groups. Ex situ evaluation of interfacial bonding strength and in situ durability tests demonstrate that this 3D‐zipped interface strategy prevents interfacial delamination without any sacrifice of fuel cell performance. A H2/O2 AEMFC test demonstration shows promisingly high power densities (1.5 W cm−2 at 70 °C with 100% RH and 0.2 MPa backpressure gas feeds), which can retain performances for at least 120 h at a usefully high current density of 0.6 A cm−2.

【 授权许可】

Unknown