Anion Exchange Membranes for Alkaline and Low-temperature Fuel Cell Applications

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to develop high performance anion exchange membranes for alkaline and low-temperature fuel cell applications based on a unique polymer-polymer hybrid scheme. The hybrid of these two polymers is intended to take advantage of combined merits of the constituent polymers and overcome the drawbacks of each polymer when used alone. The focus of the effort is to enhance the conductivity of the anion exchange membrane by raising the ion exchange capacity (IEC) as high as possible. The outcome of the present effort may result in a new anion exchange membrane with high hydroxyl ion conductivity, high thermal and chemical stabilities, low permeability of reactant species, good mechanical properties, and high durability in application to sodium borohydride-hydrogen peroxide fuel cells. Issues for scaling up of the membrane production and commercialization will be identified and addressed in Phase I.