CAREER: Multicomponent Transport in Polymer Electrolyte Membranes

提案编号：CBET-0644593提案类型：职业主要研究者：YOSSEF ELABDAFFILIATION: DREXEL大学提案标题：职业：聚合物电解质膜中的多组分运输燃料电池提供了一种创新的和环保的替代目前的电源。特别是质子交换膜（PEM）燃料电池已经引起了人们对运输等大型市场应用的兴趣。这种燃料电池的关键元件是PEM，它充当电解质，从阳极交换质子到阴极，直接从化学燃料中获得电能；然而，PEM也是导致显著功率和效率损失的组件。智力优势：目标是使用时间分辨傅立叶变换红外衰减全反射（FTIR-ATR）光谱在分子尺度上研究PEMs中的多组分输运现象。本研究项目的成果将提供对多组分运输机制的基本理解，并为燃料电池研究提供新的知识体系。这些信息将用于开发具有改进燃料电池性能的新膜。时间分辨FTIR-ATR光谱技术区别于其他技术，因为它能够根据吸收不同波长或振动键能的光，实时提供扩散剂和聚合物之间的分子水平对比，从而敏感地区分各种化学成分。该技术不仅可以同时定量多个扩散组分，还可以通过红外光谱的位移定量测量扩散剂与聚合物之间的分子相互作用，这是该技术所独有的。这项提议的工作将回答一些与燃料电池的关键问题直接相关的基本传输问题：高温和低湿下的低质子电导率（氢燃料电池）和高甲醇交叉率（甲醇燃料电池）。提出了一个全面的计划，其中PI将首先测量和了解PEMs中的多组分传输机制，并设计和测试新的PEMs以提高燃料电池的性能。PI实验室最近收集的初步数据：(1)水蒸气传输测量；(2)使用时间分辨FTIR-ATR光谱法测量Nafion膜中的液体甲醇/水混合物传输；(3)开发和测试具有改进甲醇燃料电池性能的新型PEM混合膜，为拟议的研究计划提供了良好的框架。更广泛的影响：PI提出了两个新项目，将重点放在K-12和本科水平的教育和研究的整合上。第一个项目是针对弱势群体（低收入家庭）和弱势群体（少数族裔）的学生，特别是来自费城五所城市高中的学生。该项目将提供工程教育，并通过为期一周的暑期项目，包括动手实验、项目、演示和演讲，为燃料电池技术和研究成果的传播提供机会。第二个项目是一个新的本科合作研究项目，它将鼓励更多的本科生从事研究，作为Drexel传统的工业非研究型合作项目的替代方案。这个新项目是Drexel-DuPont的合作项目，参与其中的本科生将在学术和工业环境中体验研究。这些项目将为燃料电池研究在K-12阶段的弱势群体中传播提供途径，并激发德雷克塞尔大学更多的本科生研究。

PROPOSAL NUMBER: CBET-0644593 PROPOSAL TYPE: CAREERPRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: YOSSEF ELABDAFFILIATION: DREXEL UNIVERSITYPROPOSAL TITLE: CAREER: MULTICOMPONENT TRANSPORT IN POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANESFuel cells offer an innovative and environmentally benign alternative to current power sources. In particular, the proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell has generated interest for large market applications, such as transportation. A key element in this fuel cell is the PEM, which serves as an electrolyte, exchanging protons from the anode to the cathode to derive electrical energy directly from a chemical fuel; however, the PEM is also the component that contributes to significant power and efficiency losses. Intellectual Merit: The objective is to study multicomponent transport phenomena in PEMs on a molecular scale using time-resolved Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy. The outcomes of this research project will provide a fundamental understanding of multicomponent transport mechanisms and provide a new body of knowledge in fuel cell research. This information will be used to develop new membranes with improved fuel-cell performance. Time-resolved FTIR-ATR spectroscopy distinguishes itself from other techniques because of its ability to sensitively differentiate between various chemical components by providing molecular-level contrast between diffusants and the polymer in real time based on absorbing light at different wavelengths or vibrational bond energies. The technique not only can quantify multiple diffusing components simultaneously, but also can quantitatively measure molecular interactions between diffusants and the polymer through shifts in the infrared spectra, which is exclusive to this technique. This proposed work will answer a number of fundamental transport questions directly linked to key problems with fuel cells: low proton conductivity at high temperatures and low humidities (hydrogen fuel cell) and high methanol crossover rates (methanol fuel cells). A comprehensive plan is proposed, where the PI will first measure and understand multicomponent transport mechanisms in PEMs and design and test new PEMs for improved fuel-cell performance. Preliminary data recently collected in the PI's laboratory: (1) water vapor transport measurements and (2) liquid methanol/water mixture transport measurements in Nafion membranes with time-resolved FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and the (3) development and testing of new PEM blend membranes with improved methanol fuel cell performance, provide a sound framework for the proposed research plan.Broader Impacts: The PI proposes two new programs that will focus on the integration of education and research at both the K-12 and undergraduate level. The first program is for underprivileged (low income families) and underrepresented (minorities) students, specifically students from five Philadelphia city high schools. This program will provide engineering education and an opportunity to disseminate fuel-cell technology and research results through a week-long summer program with hands-on laboratories, projects, demonstrations, and presentations. The second program is a new co-operative (co-op) undergraduate research program that will encourage more undergraduates to pursue research as an alternative to Drexel's traditional industrial non-research based co-op program. This new program is a Drexel-DuPont partnership, where the undergraduate students involved will experience research both in an academic and industrial setting. These programs will provide avenues for the dissemination of fuel-cell research to underprivileged and underrepresented groups at the K-12 level and stimulate more undergraduate research at Drexel.