Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cells

KOH-doped polybenzimidazole for alkaline direct glycerol fuel cells

“…Interest in alkaline fuel cell systems has grown constantly over the last years [1][2][3]. The main advantages of operating in this environment arise from the enhanced kinetics of the reactions and the possibility of using non-platinum based catalysts, especially gold and palladium, in addition to other less expensive materials such as cobalt and nickel, for the alcohol oxidation, and silver and manganese oxide for the oxygen reduction [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

“…The main advantages of operating in this environment arise from the enhanced kinetics of the reactions and the possibility of using non-platinum based catalysts, especially gold and palladium, in addition to other less expensive materials such as cobalt and nickel, for the alcohol oxidation, and silver and manganese oxide for the oxygen reduction [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. However, the development of this type of cell was always relegated to a secondary status compared to its acidic homologue, especially after the successful development of the perfluorosulfonated materials [14].…”

Alkaline membrane fuel cells: anion exchange membranes and fuels

“…65 Ionic conductivities of AEMs are generally lower than those of PEMs. 157 The reason for this lies mainly in the lower mobility of the hydroxide ion in comparison to proton but also in the insufficient dissociation and solvation of the hydroxide ion. 158 Most AEM membranes rely on quaternary ammonium functional groups as the bearers of a positive charge.…”

“…It has been observed that benzyltrimethyl ammonium exchange sites are especially stable. 157 AEMs' instability in alkaline media can be attributed to the displacement of the ammonium group by OH À anions, as the latter are very good nucleophiles. 157,165 Sun et al 167 compared various organic cations in terms of the alkaline stability and analogous cation-based AEMs.…”

A review on direct methanol fuel cells–In the perspective of energy and sustainability

“…Figure 1 illustrates the basic operating principles of both acid-and alkaline-based DMFCs. 26 In a DMFC, the key component is the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), in which anode and cathode catalyst layers are in intimate contact on either side of the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) (either acid or alkaline based membranes can be used). Conventionally, carbon-supported PtRu or (unsupported) PtRu black catalysts are used in the anode and carbon-supported Pt or Pt black catalysts are used in the cathode.…”