(213h) Design and Development of Electrolyte Membranes for Solid Alkaline Fuel Cells

Solid
alkaline fuel cells (SAFCs) are another system that holds the potential to
achieve high-energy conversion efficiency without Pt
catalysts. Although most of metal catalysts can be used under alkaline
environment, development of durable electrolyte membranes in alkaline media is
the key for this technology. We are
systematically designing and developing new materials 1,2) from the molecular
level to the device level based on organic chemistry3) and quantum chemical
simulation4).
We have designed a new anionic polyelectrolyte membrane consisting of highly
cross-linked and packed ion-exchange sites with aromatic backbone. Each
aromatic monomer unit has three ion-exchange sites and the sites can cross-linked with other monomer units. The monomer was
polymerized in pores of a porous membrane substrate and the membrane showed
high ionic conductivity, exceptionally low fuel
cross-over and good chemical stability. Those functionalities can satisfies the
anticipated requirements for a viable solid state
alkaline fuel cells.

References

1.)     
S. Miyanishi, T. Fukushima, T. Yamaguchi, Macromolecules,
48(8), 2576-2584 (2015)

2.)     
G. S. Sailaja, S. Miyanishi, T.
Yamaguchi, Polym. Chem.,
6, 7964-7973 (2015)

3.)     
S. Miyanishi, T. Yamaguchi, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.,
in press (2016)

4.)     
K. Matsuyama;
H. Ohashi, S. Miyanishi, H.
Ushiyama, T. Yamaguchi, RSC Advances,
6, 36269-36272 (2016)