Integrated manufacturing of novel fuel cell electrodes and membrane electrode assemblies

燃料电池技术是当前新能源开发领域最令人振奋的领域之一，具有很高的科技挑战性。到目前为止，质子交换膜燃料电池(PEMFC)技术领域取得的进展提供了广阔的应用前景。在过去的几年里，由于《京都议定书》的要求，人们对这种无害环境的技术的兴趣有所增加。然而，在广泛接受PEMFC作为汽车动力系统之前，需要大幅降低PEMFC的成本。该提案的主要目的是开发一种基于共挤工艺的最先进的方法，以制备用于PEMFC的高性能和低成本的电极和膜电极组件，MEA。在这个项目中，目前用于PEMFC电极的传统材料将被基于高填充热塑性聚合物的新配方所取代。目前由全氟磺酸离聚体(如杜邦的Nafion)制成的质子交换膜(PEM)将被S.Kaliguine实验室开发的新膜所取代，S.Kaliguine是本提案的共同申请者。这些膜的高性能，特别是它们的质子电导率，通常高于Nafion，使它们成为PEM的良好候选者。拟议的项目将与两个加拿大工业合作伙伴合作实现：伯纳比(BC)的Palcan燃料电池有限公司和魁北克的SIM复合材料公司。

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.