SBIR Phase I: Eliminating Critical Failure Mechanisms and Increasing Performance Development in Alkaline Fuel Cells by using a Solid Polymer Electrolyte

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将开发一种用于阴离子交换碱性燃料电池的新型羟基离子导电聚合物膜，方法是基于两种分别结合纳米颗粒功能的新型聚合物方法。传统碱性燃料电池(AFC)的一个关键问题是电解液和电极的退化，这是由于在液体电解液中形成碳酸盐和重碳酸盐而引起的。降解是由于固体金属碳酸盐晶体沉淀物的形成，这些沉淀物填满了孔和通道，并机械地破坏了活性中心。为了解决这一关键问题，该项目将开发一种液体电解质的替代品；因此，将研究一种固体聚合物膜。这项技术带来的更广泛的影响/商业潜力将是一种具有高温能力的固体聚合物AFC膜，有可能将这种燃料电池技术变体应用于以前无法实现的应用，如汽车发电和固定发电。薄的溶液浇注固体聚合物膜将允许燃料电池堆组件内更紧凑的间距，从而使这种燃料电池技术变体有可能用于消费电子产品和军用士兵电池组等“微型”应用中。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a novel hydroxyl ion-conducting polymer membrane for use in anion exchange alkaline fuel cells through a parallel approach based on two novel polymer approaches each combined with nano particle functionality. A key issue with traditional alkaline fuel cells (AFC) is electrolyte and electrode degradation caused by the forming of carbonates and bicarbonates in a liquid electrolyte. The degradation is caused by the forming of precipitants of solid metal carbonate crystals which fill the pores and channels, and mechanically disrupt the active sites. In order to address this key issue the project will develop an alternative to the liquid electrolyte; therefore a solid polymer membrane will be investigated. The broader impact/commercial potential from the technology will be a solid polymer-based AFC membrane with high temperature capability with the potential to move this fuel cell technology variant into previously unattainable applications such as automotive power and stationary power generation. Thin solution cast solid polymer membranes would allow for more compact spacing within the fuel cell stack assembly allowing this fuel cell technology variant to be potentially used in "micro" applications such as consumer electronics and military on-soldier power packs.