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Title: Development of high performance proton-conducting solid electrolytes

Conference ·
OSTI ID:305603
;  [1]
  1. Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa, FL (United States)

This work seeks to improve the efficiency of fuel cell and electrolyzer operation by developing solid electrolytes that will function at higher temperatures. Two objectives were pursued: (1) determine the mechanism of hydrolytic decomposition of aromatic sulfonic acid ionomers, with the intent of identifying structural weaknesses that can be avoided in future materials; and (2) identify new directions in solid electrolyte development. After evaluating a number of aromatic sulfonates, it became apparent that no common mechanism was going to be found; instead, each polymer had its own sequence of degradation steps, involving some combination of desulfonation and/or chain scission. For electrochemical cell operation at temperatures > 200 C, it will be necessary to develop solid electrolytes that do not require sulfonic acids and do not require water to maintain its conductivity mechanism.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI ID:
305603
Report Number(s):
NREL/CP-570-25315-Vol.1; CONF-980440-Vol.1; ON: DE98007507; TRN: IM9906%%283
Resource Relation:
Conference: US DOE hydrogen program technical review meeting, Alexandria, VA (United States), 28-30 Apr 1998; Other Information: PBD: Aug 1998; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 1998 U.S. DOE Hydrogen Program Review: Volume 1; PB: 425 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English