Project Info
Proton Exchange Membranes for Steam Electrolysis
Andrew Herring
aherring@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
Over the years we have developed proton exchange membranes ( PEMs) for fuel cell applications. Many of these same membranes could be applied to steam electrolysis to obtain hydrogen from water splitting. Because the PEMs were developed for fuel cells we need to first demonstrate that they have good conductivity and durability under the conditions of steam electrolysis. We then need to demonstrate that we can interface the membranes with catalysts. Finally the student will build a small single cell electrolyzer, 5 cm2, and demonstrate that the concept works.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Not applicable.
The class of membranes for fuel cells are described in,
- “Heteropoly Acid Functionalized Fluoroelastomer with Outstanding Chemical Durability and Performance for Vehicular Fuel Cells.” 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,* Electrochem. Soc., 2018, 165, F1264 – F1269. http://dx.doi.org/10.1149/2.1361814jes
Primary Contacts:
Andrew Herring, aherrig@mines.edu, Chris Kim, chuloongkim@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Sophomore science or engineering classes. Basic ab skills.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
4-5
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
Using electrochemical techniques to measure proton conductivity.
Fabrication of Membrane Electrode Assemblies
Fabrication nad testing of 5 cm2 electrochemical devices.
MENTORING PLAN
Biweekly group meetings, close supervision of graduate student.
PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS
Junior
Senior