PBI-Based Polymer Membranes for High Temperature Fuel Cells– Preparation, Characterization and Fuel Cell Demonstration

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology based on perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer membranes is briefly reviewed. The newest development in alternative polymer electrolytes for operation above 100 °C is summarized and discussed. As one of the successful approaches to high operational temperatures, the development and evaluation of acid doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes are reviewed, covering polymer synthesis, membrane casting, acid doping, physicochemical characterization and fuel cell testing. A high temperature PEMFC system, operational at up to 200 °C based on phosphoric acid-doped PBI membranes, is demonstrated. It requires little or no gas humidification and has a CO tolerance of up to several percent. The direct use of reformed hydrogen from a simple methanol reformer, without the need for any further CO removal, has been demonstrated. A lifetime of continuous operation, for over 5000 h at 150 °C, and shutdown-restart thermal cycle testing for 47 cycles has been achieved. Other issues such as cooling, heat recovery, possible integration with fuel processing units, associated problems and further development are discussed.