SGER: Novel Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Fuel Cell Membranes

SGER：新型有机-无机杂化燃料电池膜

• 批准号: 0833837
• 负责人: Xiangwu Zhang
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: North Carolina State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-05-15 至 2009-10-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0833837&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SGER; Novel; Organic; Inorganic; Hybrid

CBET-0833837ZhangThe objective of this research is to explore the use of surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) and electrospinning technologies to create a novel type of hybrid fuel cell membrane. Fuel cells are promising candidates for ?clean? power generation because they provide electricity without combustion and pollutants associated with burning fossil fuels. Current PEMFC technologies use Nafion® membranes to separate the fuel from the oxidant and transport protons from the anode to the cathode. However, Nafion® suffers from problems including low operating temperature, limited sulfonic acid content, poor proton conductivity at low relative humidity, insufficient mechanical stability, and high cost. The work proposes to synthesize a novel type of organic-inorganic hybrid membrane by using SI-ATRP technology to generate extra-high density, ultra-long functional polymers directly in the nonwoven pores of electrospun SZrO2 nanofiber-based porous frameworks. These hybrid membranes will also be integrated with novel catalyst layers to achieve high fuel cell performance.Intellectual merit: SI-ATRP is a recently developed technology of ?living? or ?controlled? radical polymerization that can realize well-defined, high-density polymer chains with exceptionally large molecular weights and low polydispersities on solid surfaces. Electrospun S-ZrO2 nanofibers have high conductivities even at high temperatures ( 150oC) and low humidities, and can form a porous nonwoven framework to provide excellent mechanical support for attaching polymers with unprecedented sulfonic-acid content while still maintaining good dimensional stability. In addition to the high conductivity of the S-ZrO2 frameworks, the extra-high content of closely-associated acid groups achieved by this method can provide a large amount of ?free? protons to further enhance the membrane performance. The resultant hybrid membranes have advantages of high proton conductivity, increased operating temperature limit, good mechanical strength, long operational life, and low cost, and hence they can significantly improve the performance of fuel cell systems.Broader impacts: The results of this proposed research are expected to have important scientific and economic impacts. Foundation for fabricating nanofiber-based porous inorganic and organic-inorganic hybrid membranes with well-defined structures and multi-functionalities will be established. Research of fuel cell technologies, which will reduce our foreign oil dependence, improve air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, will also be advanced. These research and education activities in novel energy-related materials and systems will help the U.S. stay in a lead position in these strategic fields.

CBET-0833837ZHANG这项研究的目的是探索使用表面引起的原子传递自由基聚合（SI-ATRP）和电纺丝技术的使用，以创建一种新型的混合燃料电池膜。燃料电池是候选人的承诺？发电是因为它们提供电力而没有与燃烧化石燃料相关的组合和污染物。当前的PEMFC技术使用Nafion®膜将燃料与氧化物和质子从阳极传输到阴极的传输。但是，Nafion®遭受了包括低工作温度，磺酸含量有限，相对湿度低的质子电导率差，机械稳定性不足和高成本的问题。通过使用SI-ATRP技术来合成一种新型有机无机杂种膜的工作建议，直接在非电纺斯罗2纳米基纤维的非孔孔中生成超密度的超长功能聚合物。这些混合膜也将与新型的催化剂层集成以实现高燃料电池性能。智能优点：Si-ATRP是最近开发的？生活的技术？还是控制？可以实现明确的高密度聚合物链具有极大的分子量和固体表面上的多分散性的基本聚合物。即使在高温（150oC）和低湿度下，电纺S-ZRO2纳米纤维也具有较高的电导率，并且可以形成多孔的非织造框架，以提供出色的机械支持，以使聚合物具有前所未有的硫酸含量含量，同时仍然保持良好的尺寸稳定性。除了S-ZRO2框架的高电导率外，通过这种方法实现的紧密相关酸基的超高含量还可以提供大量的免费？质子进一步增强膜性能。由此产生的混合膜具有高质子电导率，工作温度限制升高，机械强度良好，运行寿命和低成本的优势，因此它们可以显着改善燃料电池系统的性能。Broader的影响：这项拟议的研究的结果预计将对重要的科学和经济影响产生重要的科学和经济影响。将建立具有明确定义的结构和多功能性的基础，用于制造基于纳米纤维的多孔无机和有机无机杂交膜。燃料电池技术的研究将降低我们的外国石油依赖，提高空气质量并减少温室气体排放，也将进行。这些与能源有关的材料和系统中的研究和教育活动将帮助美国在这些战略领域保持领先地位。