Recent Progress in the Development of Composite Membranes Based on Polybenzimidazole for High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Applications

Abstract

The rapid increasing of the population in combination with the emergence of new energy-consuming technologies has risen worldwide total energy consumption towards unprecedent values. Furthermore, fossil fuel reserves are running out very quickly and the polluting greenhouse gases emitted during their utilization need to be reduced. In this scenario, a few alternative energy sources have been proposed and, among these, proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are promising. Recently, polybenzimidazole-based polymers, featuring high chemical and thermal stability, in combination with fillers that can regulate the proton mobility, have attracted tremendous attention for their roles as PEMs in fuel cells. Recent advances in composite membranes based on polybenzimidazole (PBI) for high temperature PEM fuel cell applications are summarized and highlighted in this review. In addition, the challenges, future trends, and prospects of composite membranes based on PBI for solid electrolytes are also discussed.

Biohydrogen from Microalgae: Production and Applications

“…It was first commercialized by the DuPont company in the 1960s and it soon received wide acceptance because of its qualities. Nafion ® is a robust polymer with high chemical and mechanical resistance, good conductivity, and little water or fuel crossover [70,77]. However, it is a costly material, covering about 20% of the cost of a fuel cell [77], and it is also thermolabile since it works only at a low temperature (50-80 • C) [78].…”

“…Nafion ® is a robust polymer with high chemical and mechanical resistance, good conductivity, and little water or fuel crossover [70,77]. However, it is a costly material, covering about 20% of the cost of a fuel cell [77], and it is also thermolabile since it works only at a low temperature (50-80 • C) [78]. Alternative polymers are under development, mainly to allow the fuel cell to operate at high temperatures in order to optimize its yield.…”

“…Alternative polymers are under development, mainly to allow the fuel cell to operate at high temperatures in order to optimize its yield. The most promising materials are currently aromatic-based membranes consisting of aryl rings and polybenzimidazole linkages [77].…”

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“…These valuable structures can develop fiber lifespan, toughness plus eligibility of Polymeric ionic liquids while retentive the discrimination relics the intrinsic to ionic liquids. Polymeric ionic liquids have been displayed to extant extraordinary possessions as well as exhibitions [42][43][44][45][46][47][48], assisting novel plus stimulating parting procedures [49][50][51]. Ionic liquids have drawn abundant consideration in latest centuries as constituents for static stages in gas chromatography, because of stuffs similar their capability to create concurrent nonpolar as well as polar interfaces with the analytes, their extraordinary thermal constancy, before their insignificant air compressions then extensive fluid series [52][53][54][55][56].…”

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