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Electrochemical performance of poly(arylene piperidinium) membranes and ionomers in anion exchange membrane fuel cells

Novalin, Timon ; Pan, Dong LU ; Lindbergh, Göran ; Lagergren, Carina ; Jannasch, Patric LU orcid and Wreland Lindstrom, Rakel (2021) In Journal of Power Sources 507.
Abstract
Awakening interest in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC) for low temperature applications has led to an increased demand for high-performing polymers stable under alkaline conditions. In this study a poly(p-terphenylene piperidinium)-based (PAP) membrane and ionomer was synthesised and applied in membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), with porous gas-diffusion electrodes based on Pt catalysts supported by VULCAN® and high surface area carbon, respectively. The MEAs were evaluated in AEMFC single-cell tests. In order to identify specific beneficial characteristics of the polymer, the results were compared to reference tests using a commercial Aemion™-polymer. Steady-state polarisation performance measurements were carried out... (More)
Awakening interest in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC) for low temperature applications has led to an increased demand for high-performing polymers stable under alkaline conditions. In this study a poly(p-terphenylene piperidinium)-based (PAP) membrane and ionomer was synthesised and applied in membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), with porous gas-diffusion electrodes based on Pt catalysts supported by VULCAN® and high surface area carbon, respectively. The MEAs were evaluated in AEMFC single-cell tests. In order to identify specific beneficial characteristics of the polymer, the results were compared to reference tests using a commercial Aemion™-polymer. Steady-state polarisation performance measurements were carried out as well as electrode characterisations via cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, in addition to ex-situ characterisation of the polymer and the membrane electrode assemblies. PAP-based membranes showed great potential with an in-situ measured average ohmic resistance of 0.09 Ω cm2. Mass transport limitations at higher current densities were observed for high surface area carbon electrodes, leading to an overall higher performance with the use of VULCAN®. Properties of the ionomer related to water uptake capabilities were observed to inhibit performance as well. The higher water uptake of PAP-based ionomers appears to be a key property for increasing electrode performance.
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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Fuel cell, Anion exchange membrane, Anion exchange ionomer, Poly(arylene piperidinium), Single-cell test, Electrode structure
in
Journal of Power Sources
volume
507
article number
230287
pages
13 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85111061755
ISSN
0378-7753
DOI
10.1016/j.jpowsour.2021.230287
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
d25bae3b-5d28-4d1c-8d63-93d45768da67
date added to LUP
2021-02-22 23:29:09
date last changed
2025-10-14 10:34:49
@article{d25bae3b-5d28-4d1c-8d63-93d45768da67,
  abstract     = {{Awakening interest in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC) for low temperature applications has led to an increased demand for high-performing polymers stable under alkaline conditions. In this study a poly(<i>p</i>-terphenylene piperidinium)-based (PAP) membrane and ionomer was synthesised and applied in membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), with porous gas-diffusion electrodes based on Pt catalysts supported by VULCAN® and high surface area carbon, respectively. The MEAs were evaluated in AEMFC single-cell tests. In order to identify specific beneficial characteristics of the polymer, the results were compared to reference tests using a commercial Aemion™-polymer. Steady-state polarisation performance measurements were carried out as well as electrode characterisations via cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, in addition to ex-situ characterisation of the polymer and the membrane electrode assemblies. PAP-based membranes showed great potential with an in-situ measured average ohmic resistance of 0.09 Ω cm<sup>2</sup>. Mass transport limitations at higher current densities were observed for high surface area carbon electrodes, leading to an overall higher performance with the use of VULCAN®. Properties of the ionomer related to water uptake capabilities were observed to inhibit performance as well. The higher water uptake of PAP-based ionomers appears to be a key property for increasing electrode performance.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Novalin, Timon and Pan, Dong and Lindbergh, Göran and Lagergren, Carina and Jannasch, Patric and Wreland Lindstrom, Rakel}},
  issn         = {{0378-7753}},
  keywords     = {{Fuel cell; Anion exchange membrane; Anion exchange ionomer; Poly(arylene piperidinium); Single-cell test; Electrode structure}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Journal of Power Sources}},
  title        = {{Electrochemical performance of poly(arylene piperidinium) membranes and ionomers in anion exchange membrane fuel cells}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2021.230287}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.jpowsour.2021.230287}},
  volume       = {{507}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}