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PBI-based/PIM-1 composite ionomer for enhanced performance of
alkaline membrane hydrogen fuel cells

Authors： WANG Leilei, WU Xuemei, CHEN Wanting, PANG Bo, CUI Fujun, HE Gaohong

Units： 1. State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Research and Development Center of Membrane Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; 2. Panjin Institute of Industrial Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China

KeyWords： ionomer; polybenzimidazole; polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs); catalyst layer triple-phase boundary; fuel cell

ClassificationCode：TQ028; TM911.42

year,volume(issue):pagination： 2025,45(5):133-142

Abstract：

This study proposed a novel composite ionomer design for the catalyst layer of alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC). The design combined a highly ion-conductive hydrophilic polymer (UTA-PBI-25%) with a hydrophobic microporous polymer (PIM-1). The hydrophilic component provided excellent ion conductivity and catalyst binding capability, while the hydrophobic microporous component effectively suppressed swelling and significantly enhanced gas permeability within the catalyst layer. The composite ionomer at an optimized ratio achieved synergistic improvements in the catalyst layer structure, resulting in outstanding performance in catalyst dispersion, electrochemical performance and electrode reaction efficiency. When applied to hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells, this composite ionomer substantially enhanced the cell’s output performance at high current densities, achieving a high peak power density. This “hydrophilic binder-hydrophobic pore-forming agent” composite strategy effectively balanced the catalyst layer’s requirements for both ion conductivity and gas transport capabilities, offering a new approach to optimize AEMFC performance.

Funds：

国家自然科学基金项目（22378042， 22021005）

AuthorIntro：

王蕾蕾（2000-）, 女, 硕士研究生, 研究方向为燃料电池

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