ANALYSIS OF PROTON-EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL-CELL PERFORMANCE WITH ALTERNATE MEMBRANES

Renewed interest in proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology for space and terrestrial (particularly electric vehicles) was stimulated by the demonstration, in the mid 1980s, of high energy efficiencies and high power densities. One of the most vital components of the PEMFC is the proton conducting membrane. In this paper, an analysis is made of the performances of PEMFCs with Dupont's Nafion(R), Dow's experimental, and Asahi Chemical's Aciplex-S(R) membranes. Attempts were also made to draw correlations between the PEMFC performances with the three types of membranes and their physico-chemical characteristics. Practically identical levels of performances (energy efficiency, power density, and lifetime) were achieved in PEMFCs with the Dow and the Aciplex-S(R) membranes and these performances were better than in the PEMFCs with the Nafion(R)-115 membrane. The electrode kinetic parameters for oxygen reduction are better for the PEMFCs with the Aciplex-S(R) and Nafion(R) membranes than with the Dow membranes. The PEMFCs with the Aciplex-S(R) and Dow membranes have nearly the same internal resistances which are considerably lower than for the PEMFC with the Nafion(R) membrane. The desired membrane characteristics to obtain high levels of performance are low equivalent weight and high water content.