Advanced nano-engineered composite membranes for next generation of alcohol fuel cell sensors

酒精燃料电池传感器因其在人体呼气酒精浓度检测方面的巨大潜力而受到广泛关注。与ACFS特别相关的一个主要技术障碍是，在极端温度或湿度的环境中，由于质子交换膜和催化剂层的脱水，传感器的性能会下降。我们解决这一问题的方法是利用酸功能化的纳米材料和各种聚合物电解质(PFSA或多孔聚苯并咪唑)来开发独特的、低成本的、低湿度的复合膜。最终目标是为商用燃料电池传感器开发具有良好稳定性的新型复合膜和膜电极组件。

Alcohol fuel cell sensors (ACFSs) have attracted considerable attention due to their great potential in the detection of human breath alcohol concentration. One major technical barrier specifically associated with ACFS is a performance decrease of the sensor due to dehydration of the proton exchange membrane and catalyst layers, which occurs at environmental extremes of temperature or humidity. Our approach to solve this problem is to develop unique, cost-effective, low-humidity composite membranes using acid-functionalized nano-materials with various polymeric electrolytes (PFSA or porous polybenzimidazole). The ultimate goal is to develop novel composite membranes and membrane electrode assemblies with excellent stability for commercial fuel cell sensors.