Advanced nano-engineered composite membranes for next generation of alcohol fuel cell sensors

酒精燃料电池传感器因其在人体呼气酒精浓度检测方面的巨大潜力而受到广泛关注。与ACFS特别相关的一个主要技术障碍是，在极端温度或湿度的环境中，由于质子交换膜和催化剂层的脱水，传感器的性能会下降。我们解决这一问题的方法是利用酸功能化的纳米材料和各种聚合物电解质(PFSA或多孔聚苯并咪唑)来开发独特的、低成本的、低湿度的复合膜。最终目标是为商用燃料电池传感器开发具有良好稳定性的新型复合膜和膜电极组件。 这项研究将加强我们与酒精对策系统公司的合作伙伴关系，建立在我们之前成功开发这项技术的NSERC Engage项目的基础上。研究结果将有助于提高燃料电池传感器的性能和稳定性，降低其成本。它们还将扩大和提升加拿大相关行业的能力，为发展以知识为基础的加拿大经济做出贡献。这项研究可能会利用纳米技术的最新进展，带来燃料电池传感器技术的革命性进步。拟议的活动还将培训高素质的人员，他们将对加拿大和全球下一代技术的发展至关重要。

Alcohol fuel cell sensors (ACFSs) have attracted considerable attention due to their great potential in the detection of human breath alcohol concentration. One major technical barrier specifically associated with ACFS is a performance decrease of the sensor due to dehydration of the proton exchange membrane and catalyst layers, which occurs at environmental extremes of temperature or humidity. Our approach to solve this problem is to develop unique, cost-effective, low-humidity composite membranes using acid-functionalized nano-materials with various polymeric electrolytes (PFSA or porous polybenzimidazole). The ultimate goal is to develop novel composite membranes and membrane electrode assemblies with excellent stability for commercial fuel cell sensors. This research will strengthen our partnership with Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corp., building on our previous NSERC Engage project successfully developing this technology. The results will help enhance the performance and stability of fuel cell sensors, and reduce their cost. They will also expand and enhance the capabilities of the relevant Canadian industry, contributing to the development of a knowledge-based Canadian economy. The research could bring revolutionary advances in fuel cell sensor technology by taking advantage of the most recent progress in nanotechnology. The proposed activities will also train highly qualified personnel who will be critical in the development of next generation technology in Canada and globally.