The use of a solid polymer electrolyte in alkaline fuel cells.

The objective of this research was to develop a new type of cheap anion exchange membranes for use in alkaline fuel cells. The polyelectrolyte anion exchange membrane was prepared by grafting quaternary amines (DABCO, TEA) on the epichlorhydrine polymer, consolidated by reticulation. Obtained ionic conductivities are over 10(-2) S.cm(-1), with a concentration of positive ionic sites of a few milli-equivalents per gram of material. Measured anionic transport numbers are greater than 0.90. Membranes, which can absorb 30 to 50% of water, are quasi impervious to gases such as H-2 and O-2 and can operate at temperatures up to 120 degreesC. Alkaline fuel cells assembled with both types of membranes showed good performances. Particular attention was devoted to the membrane-electrode interface.