The optimisation of alkaline membrane fuel cell electrodes containing anion-exchange powder ionomers

Prof Varcoe's group (Department of Chemistry, University of Surrey) has pioneered the use of anion-exchange polymer electrolytes in alkaline membrane fuel cells (targeted to minimise the use of precious metal catalysts in fuel cell electrodes). These fuel cells have potential application in the stationary back-up power and off-grid electricity generation sectors. In the last two years, there have been large breakthroughs in the optimisation of anion-exchange membranes [DOI 10.1039/C8TA04783A]. However, to date, there has been less work on the optimisation of the anion-exchange powder ionomers that are used to bind the catalysts to the electrodes.

The aim of Mr Salam's PhD project is to investigate different electrode configurations to maximise alkaline membrane fuel cell performances.

Objectives:
1. To establish benchmark fuel cell performances with the use of the current state-of-the-art materials and electrode configurations;
2. To investigate the differences in the performances of fuel cell electrodes fabricated using different types of carbon paper electrodes with different levels of wetproofing (Teflon contents);
3. To investigate the differences in the performances of fuel cell electrodes containing anion-exchange ionomer powders of differing particle sizes and shapes (ground/milled using different methods);
4. To investigate the differences in the performances of fuel cell electrodes containing anion-exchange ionomer powders made from different precursors;
5. To investigate the differences in the performances of fuel cell electrodes containing the down-selected power/milling combination and different electrocatalysts (the above objectives used commercial benchmark platinum-based fuel cell electrocatalysts).

Methodology:
1.Fabricate standard anion-exchange membranes and different anion-exchange powder ionomers;
2.Characterise the above materials using standard published techniques (ion-exchange capacity, spectroscopic characterisation, conductivity, water uptakes);
3.Fabricate electrodes containing the anion-exchange powder ionomers for testing in single-cell alkaline membrane fuel cells (alongside the standard membranes).
4.If time permits, conduct some in situ durability studies of an optimised membrane-electrode assembly (this may be in collaboration with other US or EU groups).