Integrated manufacturing of novel fuel cell electrodes and membrane electrode assemblies

燃料电池技术是当前新能源发展中最令人兴奋的领域之一，具有很高的科学和技术挑战性。质子交换膜燃料电池（PEMFC）技术的发展为人们提供了广阔的应用前景。由于京都议定书的要求，对这种环境友好技术的兴趣在过去几年中有所增长。然而，在PEMFC作为汽车动力系统被广泛接受之前，需要PEMFC成本的大幅降低。本提案的主要目标是开发一种最先进的方法，共挤出工艺的基础上，制备高性能和低成本的电极和膜电极组件，MEA，PEMFC。目前用于PEMFC电极的传统材料将在该项目中被基于高度填充的热塑性聚合物的新配方所取代。质子交换膜，PEM，目前由全氟磺酸离聚物，如杜邦公司的Nafion，将取代新的膜在实验室开发的S。Kaliaguine，本提案的共同申请人。这些膜的高性能，特别是它们的质子传导率，通常高于Nafion，使它们成为良好的PEM候选者。拟议的项目将与两个加拿大工业合作伙伴合作实现：Palcan燃料电池有限公司，Burnaby（BC）和SiM Composites Inc.，魁北克。

Fuel cell technology is currently one of the most exciting fields in the area of new energy development with high scientific and technological challenges. Progress made up to now in the field of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) technology offers large perspectives of applications. The interest in this environmentally benign technology has grown during the last years due to the Kyoto protocol requirements. However, a drastic decrease in PEMFC cost is needed prior to the widespread acceptance of PEMFC as automotive power systems. The main objective of this proposal is to develop a state-of-the art methodology, based on coextrusion process, to prepare high performance and low-cost electrodes and membrane-electrode assemblies, MEA, for PEMFC. Conventional materials presently used for PEMFC electrodes will be replaced in this project by new formulations based on highly filled thermoplastic polymers. The Proton Exchange Membranes, PEM, presently made from perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers, such as Dupont's Nafion, will be replaced by new membranes developed in the laboratory of S. Kaliaguine, co-applicant in this proposal. The high performances of these membranes, in particular their proton conductivities, often higher than Nafion, make them good PEM candidates. The proposed project will be realized in collaboration with two Canadian industrial partners: Palcan Fuel Cells Ltd., Burnaby (BC), and SiM Composites Inc., Quebec.