SGER: Novel Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Fuel Cell Membranes

本研究的目的是探索利用表面引发原子转移自由基聚合（SI-ATRP）和静电纺丝技术制备新型混合燃料电池膜。燃料电池是清洁能源的有希望的候选者。发电，因为它们提供不燃烧的电力和与燃烧化石燃料有关的污染物。目前的PEMFC技术使用Nafion®膜将燃料从氧化剂中分离出来，并将质子从阳极传输到阴极。然而，Nafion®存在工作温度低、磺酸含量有限、相对湿度低时质子导电性差、机械稳定性不足和成本高等问题。本研究提出了一种新型的有机-无机杂化膜，利用SI-ATRP技术直接在静电纺SZrO2纳米纤维基多孔框架的非织造孔中生成超高密度、超长功能聚合物。这些混合膜还将与新型催化剂层集成，以实现高燃料电池性能。智能优点：SI-ATRP是一项新开发的生物技术。或控制?自由基聚合可以在固体表面上实现明确的高密度聚合物链，具有超大分子量和低多分散性。静电纺S-ZrO2纳米纤维即使在高温（150℃）和低湿条件下也具有很高的导电性，并且可以形成多孔的非织造骨架，为附着具有前所未有的磺酸含量的聚合物提供优异的机械支撑，同时仍保持良好的尺寸稳定性。除了S-ZrO2骨架的高导电性外，通过该方法获得的超高含量的紧密相关酸基可以提供大量的自由？质子进一步提高膜的性能。所制备的杂化膜具有质子导电性高、工作温度极限高、机械强度好、使用寿命长、成本低等优点，可显著提高燃料电池系统的性能。更广泛的影响：这项拟议研究的结果预计将产生重要的科学和经济影响。为制备结构清晰、功能多样的纳米纤维多孔无机膜和有机无机杂化膜奠定基础。燃料电池技术的研究也将得到推进，这将减少我们对外国石油的依赖，改善空气质量，减少温室气体排放。这些新型能源相关材料和系统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。

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.