SBIR Phase I: Eliminating Critical Failure Mechanisms and Increasing Performance Development in Alkaline Fuel Cells by using a Solid Polymer Electrolyte

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将开发一种新型的羟基离子传导聚合物膜，用于阴离子交换碱性燃料电池，通过基于两种新型聚合物方法的并行方法，每种方法都结合了纳米颗粒功能。传统碱性燃料电池（AFC）的一个关键问题是由液体电解质中碳酸盐和碳酸氢盐的形成引起的电解质和电极降解。降解是由固体金属碳酸盐晶体的沉淀物的形成引起的，所述沉淀物填充孔和通道，并且机械地破坏活性位点。为了解决这一关键问题，该项目将开发一种液体电解质的替代品;因此，将研究固体聚合物膜。该技术更广泛的影响/商业潜力将是具有高温能力的固体聚合物基AFC膜，有可能将这种燃料电池技术变体转移到以前无法实现的应用中，如汽车动力和固定发电。薄的溶液浇铸固体聚合物膜将允许燃料电池堆组件内的更紧凑的间隔，从而允许这种燃料电池技术变体潜在地用于“微型”应用，例如消费电子产品和军用士兵电源组。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a novel hydroxyl ion-conducting polymer membrane for use in anion exchange alkaline fuel cells through a parallel approach based on two novel polymer approaches each combined with nano particle functionality. A key issue with traditional alkaline fuel cells (AFC) is electrolyte and electrode degradation caused by the forming of carbonates and bicarbonates in a liquid electrolyte. The degradation is caused by the forming of precipitants of solid metal carbonate crystals which fill the pores and channels, and mechanically disrupt the active sites. In order to address this key issue the project will develop an alternative to the liquid electrolyte; therefore a solid polymer membrane will be investigated. The broader impact/commercial potential from the technology will be a solid polymer-based AFC membrane with high temperature capability with the potential to move this fuel cell technology variant into previously unattainable applications such as automotive power and stationary power generation. Thin solution cast solid polymer membranes would allow for more compact spacing within the fuel cell stack assembly allowing this fuel cell technology variant to be potentially used in "micro" applications such as consumer electronics and military on-soldier power packs.