Proton Exchange Membrane durability enhancement through Antioxidant

Proton Exchange Membrane durability enhancement through Antioxidant

PROJECT NUMBER: 6 | AUTHOR: Joshua Cedillos​, Chemical and Biological Engineering

MENTOR: Andrew M. Herring, Chemical and Biological Engineering

GRADUATE STUDENT MENTOR: Christoph ChulOong Kim, Chemical and Biological Engineering

ABSTRACT

Fuel cell application is an extremely complex and important industry, requiring the development of proton exchange membrane (PEMs) solutions to a multitude of different sectors As of right now, there are commercial standards for proton exchange membrane (Nafion) but need to be improved. One of the high value materials used in fuel cell application is the proton exchange membrane. PEMs are capable of high-power density proton conductivity. Fuel cell application usually creates peroxide formation which leads to low density and conductivity. Agents such as cerium and manganese counterattack peroxide formation but do not stay in the initial area due to diffusion and dissolution. In this work, advancement in PEM properties with additives has the potential to operate efficiently with light-duty fuel cell vehicles and high duty fuel cell vehicles for commercialization usage. This project focuses on the chemically bonded ionomer of perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA) and ionomer membrane. Proton conductivity is organized into two intensive properties of temperature and relative humidity. Methods regarding water uptake and ionomer membrane permeability properties with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIS).

PRESENTATION

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Joshua Cedillos is currently a first-generation undergraduate sophomore at Colorado School of Mines. He is planning to major in Chemical and Biological Engineering, and minor in biomedical engineering. Starting his undergraduate career, Joshua got accepted to the FIRST fellowship program and worked consistently with PhD candidate mentor, Christoph ChulOong Kim. This sophomore year, Joshua had his first research project and initial stepping stones in a lab environment. Joshua has researched and learned about methods of proton exchange membrane conductivity regarding the mechanisms of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Joshua learned proper lab etiquette, chemical solutions, and processes that aided with the project. The research that Joshua would like to do one day is medicine and medical purposes.