Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2014, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (8): 1393-1407.doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB201406171

• REVIEW • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Recent Research Progress in Alkaline Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Alkaline Solid Fuel Cells

HOU Hong-Ying   

  1. Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, P. R. China
  • Received:2014-04-21 Revised:2014-06-16 Published:2014-07-18
  • Contact: HOU Hong-Ying E-mail:hhy@dicp.ac.cn,hongyinghou@kmust.edu.cn
  • Supported by:

    The project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51363011), the 46th Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, Ministry of Education, China (6488-20130039), Programof High-level Introduced Talent of Yunnan Province in 2012, China (10978125), and Yunnan Project of Training Talent, China (1418425) and Project of Key Discipline, China (14078232).

Abstract:

Alkaline polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (APEMFC) has received much recent attention, primarily motivated by their fast dynamics and independence on expensive Pt-based electrocatalysts. As one of vital components of APEMFC, the alkaline polymer membrane directly influences their performance and cost. However, to date, no alkaline membrane has provided a satisfactory benchmark for use in APEMFC. Therefore, intensive efforts have been made to pursue desirable polymer membrane materials. In this article, the research progress over the last 3 years on state-of-the-art alkaline polymer electrolyte membranes for APEMFC is reviewed, including various synthesis strategies, structure-property relationships, water management, and ex situ and in situ stability tests. More specifically, some new metal- cation- based anion exchange membranes, such as ruthenium-complex-based and crown-ether-based anion exchange membranes, are commented on for the first time. Furthermore, future development prospects are also predicted.

Key words: Alkaline solid fuel cell, Alkaline polymer electrolyte membrane, Anion exchange membrane, Composite membrane, Non-Pt catalyst