Structural features and proton transport of polymer electrolyte

MLZ Conference: Neutrons for Energy
Contribution ID : 35
Type : Poster
Structural features and proton transport of polymer
electrolyte membranes for high-temperature fuel
cells
Tuesday, 19 July 2016 16:50 (2:40)
Abstract
Proton conducting polymer electrolyte membranes, in particular, commercially available polybenzimidazole (PBI) attract increasing interest for high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells
(HT-PEFC) operating at 160-180◦ C. HT-PEFC are promising energy converters for stationary (e.g.
based on natural gas reforming and combined heat generation) and mobile applications, such as
auxiliary power units due to their high tolerance for fuel impurities, i.e. CO and environmentally
friendly operation (water as by-product of electrochemical reaction) [1]. Excellent thermal and
chemical stability of PBI-based membranes in combination with sufficient conductivity after impregnation with phosphoric acid (PA), which has the highest known intrinsic proton conductivity,
assures sufficient conductivity of the these membranes.
In order to get a better understanding of the crucial parameters of the HT-PEFC, e.g. its conductivity
and overall performance, structural features of PBI-based membranes have been investigated on
the length scales ranging from sub-nm up to several micrometers [2]. Different scattering and
imaging techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), neutron diffraction with polarization analysis,
small angle neutron- and X-ray scattering (SANS and SAXS respectively), polarized light- and
transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been used. Impact of the temperature changes as
well as aging effects will be discussed. Obtained results are linked to proton diffusion measured
over a wide time scale by means of pulsed-filed-gradient nuclear magnetic resonance PFG NMR and
neutron spectroscopy [3] as well as macroscopic parameters of the fuel cell.
References:
[1] In “Polymers for PEM Fuel Cells”, ed. H. Pu, John Wiley Press, 2014
[2] O. Ivanova et al., submitted to Soft Matter
[3] B. Hopfenmüller, in preparation
Primary author(s) :
Dr. IVANOVA, Oxana (Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), outstation
at MLZ, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH)
Co-author(s) :
Dr. LÜKE, Wiebke (Institut für Energie- und Klimaforschung (IEK), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH); HOLDERER, Olaf (Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), outstation at
MLZ, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH); Mr. HOPFENMÜLLER, Bernhard (Jülich Centre for Neutron
Science (JCNS), outstation at MLZ, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH); Dr. NEMKOVSKIY, Kirill
(Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), outstation at MLZ, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH); Dr.
KRUTYEVA, Margarita (JCNS Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), Forschungszentrum Jülich
GmbH); Dr. APPAVOU, Marie-Sousai (Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), outstation at MLZ,
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH); Dr. SZEKELY, Noemi (Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS),
outstation at MLZ, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH); Dr. MONKENBUSCH, Michael (JCNS Jülich
Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH); Prof. LEHNERT, Werner
(Institut für Energie- und Klimaforschung (IEK), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH & RWTH Aachen
University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering); Dr. ZORN, Reiner (Jülich Centre for Neutron Science
(JCNS), Forschungszentrum Jülich)
Presenter(s) : Dr. IVANOVA, Oxana (Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), outstation at MLZ,
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH)
Session Classification : Poster Session
Track Classification : Energy storage & transformation

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