Anion-exchange membrane
An alkali anion exchange membrane (AAEM) is a semipermeable membrane generally made from ionomers and designed to conduct anions while being impermeable to gases such as oxygen or hydrogen. This is their essential function when incorporated into a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a DMFC[1] or DEFC [2]: separation of reactants and transport of anions.
Advantage
The advantage of the alkali anion exchange membrane in the fuel cell is the potential to use non-noble metals such as iron, cobalt or nickel[3] due to the low overpotentials associated with electrochemical reactions at high pH[4][5]. In comparison against Alkaline fuel cell, alkali anion exchange membrane fuel cells also protect the electrode from solid carbonate precipitation, which can cause fuel (oxygen/hydrogen) transport problem during start-up.
See also
- Alkaline fuel cell
- Artificial membrane
- Gas diffusion electrode
- Ion exchange
- Glossary of fuel cell terms
- Proton exchange membrane
References
- ^ Comparison of PVDF and FEP based radiation-grafted alkaline anionexchange membranes for use in low temperature portable DMFCs
- ^ Direct ethanol fuel cells using alkaline anion exchange membrane
- ^ Platinum-free fuel cell developed in Japan
- ^ Poly(phenylene)-based anion exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cells
- ^ Anion Exchange Membrane and Ionomer for Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cells