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Proton Conducting Polymer Electrolytes for Fuel Cells via Electrospinning Technique

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Organic-Inorganic Composite Polymer Electrolyte Membranes

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Abstract

Fuel cells are gaining a considerable attention as a clean and promising technology for energy conversion in the twenty-first century. One of the key benefits of fuel cells is the direct energy conversion that enables the achievement of high efficiency. Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are the key components in fuel cell system and there is a considerable application-driven interest in lowering the membrane cost and extending the operating window of PEMs. Current proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) technology is based on expensive perfluorinated PEMs that operate effectively only under fully hydrated conditions. To address this problem, electrospinning is a promising technique, which can produce nanoscale fibres. This chapter thus presents an overview of fuel cell technology and production of proton exchange membranes developed through electrospinning technique. An attempt was also made to discuss the recent progress made on the new materials, such as Nafion, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), etc. The unique three-dimensional network structures of the electrospun membranes offer adequate mechanical properties and proton conductivity. Among the nanofibres, sulfonated polyimide nanofibres showed improved membrane stability. Composite membranes composed of highly conductive and selective layer-by-layer (LbL) films and electrospun fibre mats are investigated for mechanical strength and electrochemical selectivity. At the end, we have discussed the present status and the future prospectus of electrospun nanofibres for fuel cell applications. To compile this chapter and to provide adequate information to the readers, we have explored all possible ways, such as research articles, reviews, books, book chapters and Google sites.

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Abbreviations

AFC:

Alkaline fuel cells

BPPO:

Bromomethylated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)

CTE:

Coefficient of thermal expansion

DC:

Direct current

DMFC:

Direct methanol fuel cell

DSC:

Differential scanning calorimetry

EF:

Electrospun fibre

EPM:

Electrospun PVDF membrane

FCs:

Fuel cells

FCV:

Fuel cell vehicle

IEC:

Ion exchange capacity

LBL:

Layer-by-layer

LPG:

Liquefied petroleum gas

MCFC:

Molten carbonate fuel cells

MEA:

Membrane electrode assemblies

NF:

Nanofibre

NGO:

Non-governmental organizations

NR:

Nanorod

NW:

Nanowire

OEM:

Original equipment manufacturer

PA 6(3) T:

Poly(trimethyl hexamethylene terephthalamide)

PAA:

Poly(acrylic acid)

PAFC:

Phosphoric acid fuel cells

PDAC:

Poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride)

PEEK:

Poly(ether ether ketone)

PEK:

Poly(ether ketone)

PEM:

Proton exchange membrane

PEMFC:

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell

PEO:

Poly(ethylene oxide)

PFSA:

Perfluorosulfonic acid

PHR:

Phenoxy resin

PLLA:

Poly-l-lactide

POSS:

Polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane

PPO:

Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide)

PPO:

Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenyleneoxide)

PS:

Poly(styrene)

PSSA-MA:

Poly(styrene sulphonic acid-co-maleic acid)

PTFE:

Polytetrafluoroethylene

PVA:

Poly(vinyl alcohol)

PVC:

Poly(vinyl chloride)

PVDF:

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)

PVP:

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone

RH:

Relative humidity

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopy

SOFC:

Solid oxide fuel cells

Tc :

Crystaline temperature

Tg :

Glass transition

Tm :

Melting temperature

WU:

Water uptake

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Acknowledgements

One of the authors (B.B. Munavalli) thanks UGC, New Delhi for awarding (RFSMS) fellowship to undertake research work. The authors also wish to thank UGC, New Delhi for providing the financial support under CPEPA Program [Contract No. 8-2/2008 (NS/PE)].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Studies in Chemistry, Karnatak University, Pavate Nagar, Dharwad, 580003, Karnataka, India

    Mahadevappa Y. Kariduraganavar, Balappa B. Munavalli & Anand I. Torvi

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  1. Mahadevappa Y. Kariduraganavar
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  2. Balappa B. Munavalli
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  3. Anand I. Torvi
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Correspondence to Mahadevappa Y. Kariduraganavar .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

    Dr Inamuddin

  2. Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

    Ali Mohammad

  3. Department of Chemsitry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Abdullah M. Asiri

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Kariduraganavar, M.Y., Munavalli, B.B., Torvi, A.I. (2017). Proton Conducting Polymer Electrolytes for Fuel Cells via Electrospinning Technique. In: Inamuddin, D., Mohammad, A., Asiri, A. (eds) Organic-Inorganic Composite Polymer Electrolyte Membranes. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52739-0_17

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