Ultra-Thin Reinforced Ionomer Membranes to Meet Next Generation Fuel Cell Targets

Abstract

Over the last 20 years great progress has been made in increasing fuel cell performance and durability while reducing overall system cost, so much so that the commercialization of fuel cells for automotive and stationary applications is nearing economic feasibility. Still, further advances are needed before the potential of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) can be realized. The incorporation of advanced thin reinforced ionomer membranes into the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) has been paramount to PEMFC progress1. Further reductions in membrane thickness are expected to increase fuel cell performance. In addition, thinner membranes reduce cost by reducing the amount of ionomer used in the MEA. Thin unreinforced membranes are likely to have reduced durability as compared to thicker unreinforced membranes2. Therefore new ionomers and reinforcement strategies are required to increase the durability of thin membranes and further enhance performance.