The preparation of some novel electrolytes: synthesis of partially fluorinated alkane sulfonic acids as potential fuel cell electrolytes. Interim technical report

Technical Report · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6558866

Bunyagidj, C; Aldridge, M H

The objective of this research was to prepare some strong acids for evaluation by Fort Belvoir as potential fuel cell electrolytes. The only acid other than phosphoric, H/sup 3/PO/sup 4/, currently under investigation by Fort Belvoir as a fuel cell electrolyte is TFMSA, CF/sup 3/SO/sup 3/H.H/sup 2/O, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid monohydrate aqueous solutions and sodium salt mixtures. TFMSA has been found to be superior to H/sup 3/PO/sup 4/ from the standpoint of electrode kinetics, but certain undesirable characteristics (volatility; wetting of Teflon) led to this search for a better fuel cell electrolyte. The following acids were prepared: Methanedisulfonic acid; Ethanesulfonic acid; Ethane-1,2-disulfonic acid; Propane-1,3-disulfonic acid; Propane-1,2,3-trisulfonic acid; Chlorotrifluoroethanesulfonic acid; and 1,2,2-trifluoroethane-1,1,2-trisulfonic acid. Yields were low because of purification difficulties and future work will be concerned with scaling up the preparations.

• Research Organization: American Univ., Washington, DC
• OSTI ID: 6558866
• Report Number(s): AD-A-056278
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300503* -- Fuel Cells-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
ACID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROLYTES
FUEL CELLS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORIC ACID
PURIFICATION
SULFONIC ACIDS
SYNTHESIS