Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Focused on Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite Membranes

Authors

  • Soheil Jalali
    Affiliation
    Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Daneshgah Street, 56199-11367 Ardabil, Iran
  • Mir Mohammad Seyedghayem
    Affiliation
    Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Daneshgah Street, 56199-11367 Ardabil, Iran
  • Fahimeh Hooriabad Saboor
    Affiliation
    Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Daneshgah Street, 56199-11367 Ardabil, Iran
  • Aishwarya Venkatramani
    Affiliation
    Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, CB3 0AS Cambridge, UK
  • Mehrdad Asgari
    Affiliation
    Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Philippa Fawcett Drive, CB3 0AS Cambridge, UK Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Rue de l'Industrie 17, CH-1951 Sion, Switzerland
https://doi.org/10.3311/PPch.21632

Abstract

The application of organic-inorganic nanocomposite membranes allows for a synergy between the desirable thermal and mechanical properties of inorganic materials with the reactivity, dielectric properties, durability, flexibility, and processability of the polymeric materials. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) suffer from some problems including water content management, carbon monoxide poisoning, hydrogen reformate, and fuel crossover through the membrane. Herein, specific solutions have been proposed to the above-mentioned problems using organ-inorganic nanocomposites. These solutions include doping proton conductive inorganic nano-particles in the proton exchange membrane, preparing nanocomposites via the sol-gel method, covalence bond of inorganic compounds with the polymer structure, and acid-based proton exchange nanocomposite membranes. Furthermore, hydrogen production with low carbon monoxide content using the ethanol steam reforming method, as well as the effect of CO in the hydrogen feed of PEMFC are explained and discussed. Finally, desirable conditions for achieving the maximum power density in exchange membrane cells (EMFCs) are discussed.

Keywords:

proton exchange membrane, organic-inorganic nanocomposite, fuel cell, hydrogen

Citation data from Crossref and Scopus

Published Online

2023-08-28

How to Cite

Jalali, S., Seyedghayem , M. M., Hooriabad Saboor, F., Venkatramani, A., Asgari , M. “Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Focused on Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite Membranes”, Periodica Polytechnica Chemical Engineering, 67(3), pp. 472–489, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPch.21632

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Articles