Advancing fuel cell performance and durability via components advancement

Record high conductivity anion exchange membranes and ionomers used in fabricating electrodes have been developed for low-temperature fuel cells (as well as water electrolysis). Electrochemical cells using anion conductive polymer electrolytes have several advantages over acid-based polymer approaches. In addition to the solid polymer membrane, the same polymer family has been used to make self-adhesive ionomers for making durable, high-conductivity electrodes. The membranes and ionomers are based on hydroxide conducting poly(norbornene) polymers, shown below.

The norbornene copolymers have a very high glass transition temperature and can be used to form tough, ultra-thin membranes. Record high-performance polymer-based hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells are shown in Figure 2. {Similarly favorable polarization curves and stability have been observed for water electrolysis as well.} The patent-pending membranes and ionomers were developed under the leadership of  Regents’ Professor and Thomas L. Gossage Chair, Paul Kohl, and are commercially available in prototype and high volume.