Project Info
Membranes for Higher Temperature Fuel Cells using Polyoxometalates
Andrew Herring
aherring@mines.edu
We have shown the polyoxometalates (POMs) can be covalently bound to polymer via either grafting or by being functionalized with monomers. These materials show superior performance in fuel cells, but when randomly incorporated in polymers often cluster and so do not achieve proton conducting membranes with high performance under hot and dry conditions. In this project we will fabricate blocky hydrocarbon hybrid POM materials where the polymer morphology can be controlled. Such materials could displace the incumbent fuel cell membranes to enable fuel cells for the DOEs million mile truck objectives.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Not applicable
“Heteropoly Acid Functionalized Fluoroelastomer with Outstanding Chemical Durability and Performance for Vehicular Fuel Cells.” A.R. Motz, M.-C. Kuo, J.L. Horan, R. Yadav, S. Seifert, T.P. Pandey, S. Galioto, Y. Yang, N.V. Dale, S.J. Hamrock, and A.M. Herring,* Energy and Environmental Science, 2018, 11, 1499 – 1509.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C8EE00545A
“Chemical Stability via Radical Decomposition using Silicotungstic Acid Moieties for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells.” A.R. Motz, M.-C. Kuo, G. Bender, B.S. Pivovar, and A.M. Herring,* J. Electrochem. Soc., 2018, 165, F1264 – F1269.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.1361814jes
Primary Contacts:
Prof. Andrew Herring
Chris Kim - Graduate Student
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Freshman Chemistry and Organic Chemistry lab. Any introductory thermodynamics course.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
4
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
Membrane fabrication and characterization. Single cell fuel cell testing and characterization.
MENTORING PLAN
Weekly group meetings and meeting with Prof. Herring. Direct supervision with graduate student.
PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS
Sophomore
Junior