Membrane materials and technology for low temperature fuel cells

Abstract: This chapter reviews recent progress in electrolyte membrane materials for low temperature fuel cells, with particular emphasis on proton exchange membrane fuel cells and on current developments targeting their higher operating temperature. The chapter first provides an overview of the advances in perfluorosulfonic acid type membranes, including short side chain type ionomers, and a summary of current understanding of ionomer membrane microstructure and morphology. The chapter then discusses non-fluorinated polymer membranes and reviews progress in proton conducting membrane materials comprising sulfonic acid functions, phosphonic and heterocycle functionalised polymers, and acid doped membranes.

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