ACT/SGER: Nanohybrid Membranes for Fuel Cells

提出了一种用于燃料电池的新型膜材料的合成和表征的综合方法。除了纳米粘土，还将使用纳米球和3D纳米孔无机物来合成纳米杂化膜。为此，将研究随机结构的干凝胶和3D介孔和纳米孔二氧化硅和沸石。除了Nafion，我们计划在AFRL/MLBP上包括其他聚合物，包括新开发的聚芳硫醚砜。拟议的工作为合理开发新的质子交换膜提供了一个框架，并结合了康奈尔大学纳米复合材料、UOP纳米粒子技术、AFRL/MLBP燃料电池聚合物以及MTI MicroFuel电池测试和评估方面的专业知识。质子交换膜燃料电池作为清洁高效的能量转换系统具有显著的优势。科学界面临的一大挑战是设计出一种满足所有材料要求、价格低廉并能长期承受燃料电池恶劣环境的膜材料。该计划的目标是设计和开发纳米杂化质子膜，它结合了高质子传导性(特别是在低相对湿度/高温下)、低气体渗透性和甲醇渗透、减少膨胀和用于燃料电池应用的机械坚固性。数学和物理科学局的反恐方法方案支持基础研究和劳动力发展方面的新概念，有可能对国家安全作出贡献。

An integrated approach focusing on synthesis and characterization of new membrane materials for fuel cell applications is proposed. In addition to nanoclays, nanohybrid membranes will be synthesized using nanospheres and 3D nanoporous inorganics. To that end, random structured xerogels and 3D meso and nanoporous silica and zeolites will be investigated. Besides Nafion, we plan to include other polymers including newly developed poly(arylenethioether) sulfones at AFRL/MLBP. The proposed work provides a framework for rationally developing new proton exchange membranes and combines the expertise in nanocomposites at Cornell, nanoparticles technology at UOP, polymers for fuel cells at AFRL/MLBP and testing and evaluation at MTI MicroFuel Cells. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells offer significant advantages as clean and efficient energy conversion systems. One of the big challenges facing the scientific community is to engineer a membrane material that fulfills all materials requirements, is inexpensive and endures the aggressive fuel-cell environment for a long period of time. The objective of this program is to design and develop nanohybrid proton membranes, which combine high proton conductivity (especially at low relative humidity/high temperature), low gas permeability and methanol crossover, decreased swelling, and mechanical robustness for fuel cell applications. The Approaches to Combat Terrorism Program in the Directorate for Mathematics and Physical Sciences supports new concepts in basic research and workforce development with the potential to contribute to national security.