CONTEXT

An essential component of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell is the membrane which conducts the ions inside the cell. Traditionaly these cells work in a cationic regime and this is made possible through the use of an expensive protonic ionomer such as Nafion®. This is clearly an issue as it imposes a cationic regime. It also requires to work with expensive and rare platinum as catalyst. This is clearly a brake on the development of Fuel Cell.
Anionic regime with inexpensive metallic catalysts such as nickel are currently used in high power stationnary stations. However, due to membrane problem, the implementation is presently only possible under high temperature.
There is therefore a clear demand to have membrane able to work in an anionic regime under room temperature.
Among the solutions investigated in the last years, one can cite the polymers having quaternary ammonium functions. Nevertheless, they are known to be fragile and unstable due to swelling caused by hydratation. 

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

In the present work, the inventors have developed an anionic membrane comprising an inorganic porous supporting solid with grafted quaternary ammonium functions. 

DEVELOPMENT STAGE

• The inventor have assessed on a laboratory scale the membrane;
• They are now currently working on the fuel cell integrating said membrane.

BENEFITS

The membrane

• can work under ambiant temperautre;
• is stable in alkali medium
• is inexpensive
• has the same conductimetric performance as a protronic membrane

In a fuel cell with such membrane, platinum can be replaced with other metal cheaper such as nickel.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

• Anionic exchange membrane fuel cell

It is clearly a lead toward inexpensive fuel cell: no platinum, no Nafion ® and low temperature. As all components are biologically comptable, inexpensive miniaturized fuel cell biological application are also be envisioned.

• In the reverse mode : Electrolysis

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