Mohamed Mahmoud Nasef, Hamdani Saidi, Habibu Uthman and Paveswari Sithambaranathan (2013). Advances in Membranes for High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells. In: Inamuddin (eds.) Advanced Functional Polymers and Composite Materials, Devices and Allied Applications. Published by: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. New York, USA. Chapter 1, pp. 1–44

Abstract

The interest in the development of highly conductive and stable proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) is growing fast despite being a challenging research task. Various approaches have been used to design membranes with appropriate structures that can withstand the operation in HT-PEMFC in the temperature range of 100-200oC. In this chapter, the recent development in PEMs for HT-PEMFC are reviewed with attention paid to fast growing and promising PEM materials obtained by acid doping. PEM materials involving various modifications of commercial perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes are also discussed. The future directions in research towards obtaining membranes with improved stability and cost effectiveness were also highlighted.