Low Cost, High Performance PPSA-Based PEM Fuel Cell Membranes

75244-To reduce the Nation¿s dependence on foreign oil, President Bush has called for the development of commercially viable, hydrogen-powered fuel cells to power automobiles, homes, and businesses. The Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is one such candidate, but its viability will require the development of a low cost, polymer electrolyte membrane material that is higher in performance but much lower in cost than current perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes. This project will develop a new poly(phenylene sulfonic acid)-based (PPSA) polymer electrolyte membrane material and demonstrate the feasibility of using it as a low-cost, high performance alternative to conventional fluorinated membranes. The high proton conductivity, superior chemical and thermal stability, and low cost of this material will facilitate the commercialization of fuel cell technology. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of using the PPSA-based membranes in a standard operating H2/air fuel cell. The membrane¿s mechanical properties, along with its thermal, electrochemical, and chemical stability under conditions of H2/air fuel cell operation, also will be demonstrated. Fuel cell performance with the PPSA-based membranes will be evaluated in comparison with the performance using PFSA membranes. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: A low cost, high performance PEMFC membrane material should overcome one of the major barriers to fuel cell commercialization, namely the high cost of current fluorinated membranes. The new membranes should be widely used in both stationary fuel cell power systems and the automobile manufacturing industry.