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Cost-efficient fuel cells with high ionic conductivity and resistance to carbon-monoxide poisoning. Fuel cells are being developed for use in various applications.
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Background This technology was developed to meet the significant demand for cost-efficient fuel cells with high ionic conductivity and resistance to carbon-monoxide poisoning. Fuel cells are being developed for use in various applications, including distributed power generation systems and automotive engines. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells offer excellent energy output, but their widespread use is prevented by the high cost of noble-metal catalysts and perfluorinated membranes, risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning, and limited lifetime due to membrane and electrode degradation. Anion exchange membranes (AEM) are being considered as a viable alternative to PEMs because they can use less costly catalysts and are resistant to carbon-monoxide poisoning. However, AEMs are less conductive than PEMs and their performance is very dependent on humidity. Technology Murat Unlu and Paul A. Kohl from the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Techhave developed a hybrid fuel cell that offers superior conductivity with a low carbon-monoxide poisoning risk. The fuel cell encompasses a stack of acidic and alkaline fuel cell membranes. This is achieved by sandwiching a conductive cation exchange membrane between two catalyst-coated anion exchange membranes. This structure creates two ionic junctions where the membranes join one another. Advantages Cheaper: Silver or nickel may be used as catalysts rather than platinum. Faster: The hybrid cell design offers faster oxidation of fuels, such as methanol or ethanol. Less toxic: Carbon monoxide is less likely to form in alkaline conditions.