Research progress on the durability of polyelectrolyte for alkaline membrane fuel cells

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20241052

Abstract

Abstract:

Alkaline membrane fuel cells (AMFCs) have attracted much attention due to the low cost and faster oxygen reduction kinetics. Especially, in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of AMFCs, the durability of alkaline polyelectrolytes (as the ion conducting media and catalytic layer binders) in high alkaline environment is one of important factors ensuring the long-term stable operation of AMFCs. This article reviews the research on the durability of alkaline polyelectrolytes in recent years and their applications in AMFCs. The mechanisms by which different main chains and cationic groups affect the durability of alkaline polyelectrolytes are emphatically summarized. It is hoped to provide reference for the molecular structure rational design of alkaline polyelectrolytes.

Key words: alkaline membrane fuel cells, polyelectrolyte, alkaline membrane, durability

摘要：

碱性膜燃料电池（AMFCs）因具备低成本及更快的氧还原动力学等特点备受关注。其中，作为离子传导介质和催化层黏结剂的碱性聚电解质是AMFCs中膜电极（MEA）的重要组成部分，其在高碱环境下的耐久性是保证AMFCs长期稳定运行的重要因素之一。综述了近些年针对碱性聚电解质耐久性的相关研究及其在AMFCs中的应用，分别总结了不同主链和阳离子基团对碱性聚电解质耐久性的影响机制，以期为碱性聚电解质分子结构的合理化设计提供参考。

关键词: 碱性膜燃料电池, 聚电解质, 碱性膜, 耐久性

CLC Number:

O 646

Xian LIANG, Xiaoyan ZHANG, Yijun WEI, Yunfang ZHENG, Quanhan GAO, Mai XU, Fengwu WANG. Research progress on the durability of polyelectrolyte for alkaline membrane fuel cells[J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(4): 1447-1462.

梁铣, 张晓燕, 魏亦军, 郑云芳, 高全涵, 徐迈, 王凤武. 碱性膜燃料电池中聚电解质的耐久性研究进展[J]. 化工学报, 2025, 76(4): 1447-1462.

Figures/Tables 11

Fig.1 A schematic representation of structure for AMFCs[9]

Fig.2 The working principle of PMFCs

Fig.3 Schematic diagram of the molecular structure of alkaline polyelectrolyte

Fig.4 Common backbone and cations of APEs

Fig.5 Partial mechanisms of polymer degradation in alkaline environments

Fig.6 Polyaromatic ether polymers

Fig.7 Ether-free main chains

Fig.8 Ultra-microporous structure

Fig.9 Alkali stability of different N-heterocyclic quaternary ammonium cations[51]

Fig.10 Alkali resistance of different cations

Table 1 Alkali stability of some alkaline polyelectrolytes

聚合物	80℃耐碱性（电导保留率）	文献
MTCP-50	1 mol·L^-1 KOH 8000 h (94.3%)	[45]
P(VCP₁₀-TP₉₀)	1 mol·L^-1 KOH 5000 h (93.8%)	[68]
NM-LPF-OH	1 mol·L^-1 KOH 4320 h (95℃, 100%)	[69]
PBPA-b-BPP	2 mol·L^-1 KOH 3750 h	[70]
qPTTP-7	1 mol·L^-1 KOH 3000 h (86%)	[32]
Cr-QPPV-2.51	1 mol·L^-1 KOH 3000 h (95%)	[71]
PBSU	3 mol·L^-1 KOH 2000 h (94.5%)	[72]
QPATP-40TDP	6 mol·L^-1 KOH 1000 h (93%)	[73]
PPTQ	10 mol·L^-1 1800 h (100%)	[53]
PTPFQ-I-85	10 mol·L^-1 NaOH 1600 h (100%)	[54]
AAEM	1 mol·L^-1 KOH 720 h (95%)	[56]
BPNP	1 mol·L^-1 KOH 1000 h (98.5%)	[74]

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