Investigation of ammonium polyphosphate metal oxide composite ceramics as electrolytes for fuel cells operating in the intermediate temperature regime

燃料电池是内燃机发电的有效替代品，因为它们的效率非常高，污染水平低。中温燃料电池（200-500°C）结合了pemfc和sofc的优点，非常具有吸引力。开发这种类型的燃料电池是可取的。为此，开发基于固态质子导电材料的新型电解质是一种很有前途的方法。TUM的初步研究发现，聚磷酸铵（APP）复合材料结合了高质子导电性和机械稳定性，并在中温燃料电池中表现出有趣的电解质特性。中国团队USTC和德国团队TUM提出了一个中德合作项目，目标是开发基于APP复合电解质的陶瓷燃料电池，工作在中间温度范围（200-500°C）。研究重点是解决中温陶瓷燃料电池发展中的关键问题。中国科大团队将致力于非铂复合电极的开发，APP复合膜和单电池的制造，以及使用氢、甲醇或/或更高醇作为燃料的单电池的表征。德国TUM团队将通过研究APP复合材料的热化学稳定性和导电性，基于APP复合材料和Pt的金属陶瓷电极的制备和电催化研究，以及使用氢、甲醇或/或更高醇作为燃料的单电池的表征来做出贡献。中国科大拥有丰富的膜和薄膜制造经验和相应的设备。德国TUM团队专门开发APP复合材料作为电解质和电催化电极的研究，并拥有优秀的电化学测试设备。两个团队的专业知识可以很好地互补。因此，这种合作可以为中温燃料电池的发展做出重要贡献。

Fuel cells are effective alternatives to combustion engines for electrical power generation because of their very high efficiencies and low pollution levels. The intermediate temperature fuel cells (200-500°C) are very attractive since they combine the advantages of PEMFCs and SOFCs. It would be desirable to develop such kinds of fuel cells. For this purpose, developing new electrolytes based on solid-state proton conducting materials is a promising approach. Primary studies at TUM have found that Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) composites combine the high protonic conductivity and mechanical stability and exhibit interesting properties as an electrolyte in the intermediate temperature fuel cells. The Chinese team USTC and the German team TUM propose a joint Sino-German project with the objective of the development of ceramic fuel cells based on APP composite electrolyte operating in the intermediate temperature range (200-500°C). The research efforts are concentrated on solving key problems in the development of the intermediate temperature ceramic fuel cells. The Chinese team USTC will contribute to development of non-platinum composite electrodes, fabrication of APP composite based membranes and single cells and characterization of single cells using hydrogen, methanol, or/and higher alcohols as fuels. The German team TUM will contribute by investigating the thermochemical stability and conductivity of APP composites, preparation and electrocatalytic studies of cermet electrodes based on APP composites and Pt, and characterisation of single cells using hydrogen, methanol, or/and higher alcohols as fuels. The Chinese team USTC has extensive experiences on membrane and thin film fabrication and corresponding equipment. The German team TUM specializes in development of APP composite as an electrolyte and electrocatalytic studies of electrodes, and has excellent equipment for electrochemical tests. The expertises of both teams complement each other very well. This collaboration can therefore contribute to the important advancement in the development of intermediate temperature fuel cells.