High temperature proton exchange membranes based on polybenzimidazoles for fuel cells (2024)

Li, Q., Jensen, J. O., Savinell, R. F. (2009). High temperature proton exchange membranes based on polybenzimidazoles for fuel cells. Progress in Polymer Science, 34(5), 449-477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2008.12.003

Li, Qingfeng ; Jensen, Jens Oluf ; Savinell, Robert F et al. / High temperature proton exchange membranes based on polybenzimidazoles for fuel cells. In: Progress in Polymer Science. 2009 ; Vol. 34, No. 5. pp. 449-477.

@article{f18d187df85341cc872eafdcaac64a6a,

title = "High temperature proton exchange membranes based on polybenzimidazoles for fuel cells",

abstract = "To achieve high temperature operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), preferably under ambient pressure, acid–base polymer membranes represent an effective approach. The phosphoric acid-doped polybenzimidazole membrane seems so far the most successful system in the field. It has in recent years motivated extensive research activities with great progress. This treatise is devoted to updating the development, covering polymer synthesis, membrane casting, physicochemical characterizations and fuel cell technologies. To optimize the membrane properties, high molecular weight polymers with synthetically modified or N-substituted structures have been synthesized. Techniques for membrane casting from organic solutions and directly from acid solutions have been developed. Ionic and covalent cross-linking as well as inorganic–organic composites has been explored. Membrane characterizations havebeenmadeincluding spectroscopy,wateruptake and acid doping, thermal and oxidative stability, conductivity, electro-osmoticwater drag, methanol crossover, solubility and permeability of gases, and oxygen reduction kinetics. Related fuel cell technologies such as electrode and MEA fabrication have been developed and high temperature PEMFC has been successfully demonstrated at temperatures of up to 200◦C under ambient pressure.No gas humidification is mandatory, which enables the elimination of the complicated humidification system, compared with Nafion cells. Other operating features of the PBI cell include easy control of air flowrate, cell temperature and cooling. The PBI cell operating at above 150 ◦C can tolerate up to 1% CO and 10ppm SO2 in the fuel stream, allowing for simplification of the fuel processing system and possible integration of the fuel cell stack with fuel processing units. Long-term durability with a degradation rate of 5Vh−1 has been achieved under continuous operation with hydrogen and air at 150–160 ◦C. With load or thermal cycling, a performance loss of 300V per cycle or 40Vh−1 per operating hour was observed. Further improvement should be done by, e.g. optimizing the thermal and chemical stability of the polymer, acid–base interaction and acid management, activity and stability of catalyst and more importantly the catalyst support, as well as the integral interface between electrode and membrane.",

keywords = "Durability, Polybenzimidazole (PBI), Cross-linking, Fuel cell, Phosphoric acid, High temperature proton exchange membrane",

author = "Qingfeng Li and Jensen, {Jens Oluf} and Savinell, {Robert F} and Bjerrum, {Niels J.}",

year = "2009",

doi = "10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2008.12.003",

language = "English",

volume = "34",

pages = "449--477",

journal = "Progress in Polymer Science",

issn = "0079-6700",

publisher = "Elsevier",

number = "5",

}

Li, Q, Jensen, JO, Savinell, RF 2009, 'High temperature proton exchange membranes based on polybenzimidazoles for fuel cells', Progress in Polymer Science, vol. 34, no. 5, pp. 449-477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2008.12.003

High temperature proton exchange membranes based on polybenzimidazoles for fuel cells. / Li, Qingfeng; Jensen, Jens Oluf; Savinell, Robert F et al.
In: Progress in Polymer Science, Vol. 34, No. 5, 2009, p. 449-477.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - High temperature proton exchange membranes based on polybenzimidazoles for fuel cells

AU - Li, Qingfeng

AU - Jensen, Jens Oluf

AU - Savinell, Robert F

AU - Bjerrum, Niels J.

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - To achieve high temperature operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), preferably under ambient pressure, acid–base polymer membranes represent an effective approach. The phosphoric acid-doped polybenzimidazole membrane seems so far the most successful system in the field. It has in recent years motivated extensive research activities with great progress. This treatise is devoted to updating the development, covering polymer synthesis, membrane casting, physicochemical characterizations and fuel cell technologies. To optimize the membrane properties, high molecular weight polymers with synthetically modified or N-substituted structures have been synthesized. Techniques for membrane casting from organic solutions and directly from acid solutions have been developed. Ionic and covalent cross-linking as well as inorganic–organic composites has been explored. Membrane characterizations havebeenmadeincluding spectroscopy,wateruptake and acid doping, thermal and oxidative stability, conductivity, electro-osmoticwater drag, methanol crossover, solubility and permeability of gases, and oxygen reduction kinetics. Related fuel cell technologies such as electrode and MEA fabrication have been developed and high temperature PEMFC has been successfully demonstrated at temperatures of up to 200◦C under ambient pressure.No gas humidification is mandatory, which enables the elimination of the complicated humidification system, compared with Nafion cells. Other operating features of the PBI cell include easy control of air flowrate, cell temperature and cooling. The PBI cell operating at above 150 ◦C can tolerate up to 1% CO and 10ppm SO2 in the fuel stream, allowing for simplification of the fuel processing system and possible integration of the fuel cell stack with fuel processing units. Long-term durability with a degradation rate of 5Vh−1 has been achieved under continuous operation with hydrogen and air at 150–160 ◦C. Withload or thermal cycling, a performance loss of 300V per cycle or 40Vh−1 per operating hour was observed. Further improvement should be done by, e.g. optimizing the thermaland chemical stability of the polymer, acid–base interaction and acid management, activity and stability of catalyst and more importantly the catalyst support, as well as the integral interface between electrode and membrane.

AB - To achieve high temperature operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), preferably under ambient pressure, acid–base polymer membranes represent an effective approach. The phosphoric acid-doped polybenzimidazole membrane seems so far the most successful system in the field. It has in recent years motivated extensive research activities with great progress. This treatise is devoted to updating the development, covering polymer synthesis, membrane casting, physicochemical characterizations and fuel cell technologies. To optimize the membrane properties, high molecular weight polymers with synthetically modified or N-substituted structures have been synthesized. Techniques for membrane casting from organic solutions and directly from acid solutions have been developed. Ionic and covalent cross-linking as well as inorganic–organic composites has been explored. Membrane characterizations havebeenmadeincluding spectroscopy,wateruptake and acid doping, thermal and oxidative stability, conductivity, electro-osmoticwater drag, methanol crossover, solubility and permeability of gases, and oxygen reduction kinetics. Related fuel cell technologies such as electrode and MEA fabrication have been developed and high temperature PEMFC has been successfully demonstrated at temperatures of up to 200◦C under ambient pressure.No gas humidification is mandatory, which enables the elimination of the complicated humidification system, compared with Nafion cells. Other operating features of the PBI cell include easy control of air flowrate, cell temperature and cooling. The PBI cell operating at above 150 ◦C can tolerate up to 1% CO and 10ppm SO2 in the fuel stream, allowing for simplification of the fuel processing system and possible integration of the fuel cell stack with fuel processing units. Long-term durability with a degradation rate of 5Vh−1 has been achieved under continuous operation with hydrogen and air at 150–160 ◦C. Withload or thermal cycling, a performance loss of 300V per cycle or 40Vh−1 per operating hour was observed. Further improvement should be done by, e.g. optimizing the thermaland chemical stability of the polymer, acid–base interaction and acid management, activity and stability of catalyst and more importantly the catalyst support, as well as the integral interface between electrode and membrane.

KW - Durability

KW - Polybenzimidazole (PBI)

KW - Cross-linking

KW - Fuel cell

KW - Phosphoric acid

KW - High temperature proton exchange membrane

U2 - 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2008.12.003

DO - 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2008.12.003

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0079-6700

VL - 34

SP - 449

EP - 477

JO - Progress in Polymer Science

JF - Progress in Polymer Science

IS - 5

ER -

Li Q, Jensen JO, Savinell RF, Bjerrum NJ. High temperature proton exchange membranes based on polybenzimidazoles for fuel cells. Progress in Polymer Science. 2009;34(5):449-477. doi: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2008.12.003