Fluorine-free, Hydrocarbon Proton Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Devices.

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The development of polymeric membranes capable of transporting protons from an anode to a cathode is of critical importance to the development of electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies. The current material of choice for the proton exchange membrane is derived from a class of materials known as PerFluoroSulfonic Acid (PFSA) ionomer . Despite its ubiquitousness, PFSA is costly and, despite its relative chemical stability, slowly leaches HF, which exacerbates catalyst degradation. Alternative, fluorine-free membranes are sought. This proposal addresses the challenge of developing non-PFSA ionomers for use as proton conducting media. A new class of material has been invented at Simon Fraser University, suitable for use in a broad range of membrane and electrochemical applications, including use as proton exchange membranes in fuel cells, water electrolyzers, and electrodialyzers. The objective of the work is to investigate the scale up of the polymer synthesis and to develop membrane casting technology in order to prepare fluorine-free polymers and membranes with sufficient technical quality and quantity to implement them in prototypical, commercial electrochemical technologies and devices.