Which polymers are conductive and could be used as cathode?5 answersConductive polymers that can be utilized as cathode materials include polyaniline (PANi) in combination with cationic polyacrylamide (CPNi), self-doped thiophene-based conducting polymer (SDTP), and redox-active two-dimensional polymers (RA-2DPs) like TAPPy-PDI and TAPB-PDI. These polymers offer enhanced electrical conductivity, mechanical robustness, and improved battery performance. PANi in CPNi compositions demonstrated excellent discharge capacities at different current densities, while SDTP showed enhanced ion transport and battery performance due to self-doping with SO3- groups. RA-2DPs, specifically TAPPy-PDI and TAPB-PDI, exhibited high electrical conductivity, ion diffusion rates, and good cycling stability, making them suitable for organic cathode materials in lithium batteries. These polymers showcase promising characteristics for use in cathodes, contributing to the advancement of rechargeable energy storage devices.
What are the electrode requirements for hydrogen evolution reaction?5 answersThe electrode requirements for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) include high activity, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Electrodes need to exhibit strong interfacial electronic coupling, promoting H2O adsorption and dissociation, along with efficient electron transfer. Additionally, electrodes should have a low overpotential, high stability, and negligible activity decay even at high current densities. Achieving a balance between good HER performance and low catalyst loading is crucial, with Pt@Ti membrane self-supporting electrodes demonstrating minimal overpotential and excellent stability. Furthermore, electrode materials for HER should aim for reduced hydrogen overpotential, as demonstrated by a bimetallic catalyst achieving only 275 mV under acidic conditions. Overall, electrodes for HER should prioritize high activity, durability, low cost, and efficient hydrogen production to support industrial applications.
Why oxygen transport is important in pemfcs?4 answersOxygen transport is important in PEMFCs because it affects the performance and efficiency of the fuel cell. The transport of oxygen is crucial for the oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode, which is a key step in the overall electrochemical process. The ability of oxygen to diffuse through the catalyst layer and reach the active sites on the catalyst surface determines the rate of the reaction and the overall cell performance. Understanding and optimizing oxygen transport is essential for reducing the cost of fuel cells by reducing the amount of platinum catalyst required and improving the lifetime of the electrodes. It also plays a role in addressing concentration polarization loss and improving the local oxygen transport through the ionomer film, especially at low platinum loading. Additionally, studying oxygen transport at the local environment near the triple phase boundary provides insights for future improvement and applications of high-temperature PEMFCs. Overall, oxygen transport is a critical factor in the design and performance of PEMFCs.
What is the effect of the type of conductive polymer on the performance of humidity sensors?5 answersThe type of conductive polymer used in humidity sensors has a significant effect on their performance. In one study, the conductive polymer graphene/polypyrrole (Gr/PPy)–BiPO4 was found to exhibit excellent sensing properties, with a small change in impedance and negligible humidity hysteresis. Another study found that the sensitivity of polymer-based capacitive humidity sensors decreased after irradiation with neutrons, electrons, and protons, indicating the importance of the internal circuit in comparison to the sensing polymer film. Additionally, the type and content of conductive fillers in composites were found to determine the resistance dependence on humidity, with more conductive fillers leading to positive dependence and low filler content leading to negative dependence. Different conducting polymers, such as polyaniline, poly(o-ethoxyaniline), and polypyrrole, were also found to have varying performance as sensitive layers in humidity sensors, with polypyrrole showing the highest sensitivity in a certain humidity range.
How do polymers such as polystyrene divinylbenzene, which are inherently cross-linked, have an effect on fuel cell performance?4 answersPolymers such as polystyrene divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) have been shown to have an effect on fuel cell performance. PS-DVB can be cross-linked to form a three-dimensional network structure, which improves the mechanical properties of the material. In fuel cells, polymers and composites are used as catalyst supports, ion exchange membranes, and catalyst materials. For example, poly(olefin)-based anion exchange membranes (AEMs) have been designed and prepared through cross-linking of olefin monomers, resulting in membranes with improved conductivity and cell performance. Additionally, cross-linked polymers with oxazine-based monomers have been found to enhance the capability of retaining phosphoric acid in fuel cell electrodes and electrolyte membranes, leading to improved durability and proton conductivity. Proton conductive cross-linked membranes, such as polyacrylate copolymer and polyacrylate-silica nanocomposites, have also been synthesized and found to exhibit good thermal stability and high proton conductivity.
What is the effect of vibration on the PEM fuel cells?5 answersVibration has various effects on PEM fuel cells. It has been found that mechanical vibration can promote water dispersion but does not enhance water removal. In applications with harsh environments, such as automotive and aerospace, vibration can lead to issues such as clamping torque loosening, gas leakage, increased electrical resistance, and structural damage. Vibration during packing, transportation, and serving time can affect the vibration response of fuel cell stacks, with the number of bolts and clamping force magnitude playing a role in stack resistance to vibration. Under mechanical vibration, the dynamic performance of PEM fuel cells can be slightly improved, but voltage fluctuation and interference with the mass-transfer process can occur. Long-term road-induced vibration can significantly impact the performance degradation and durability of fuel cell stacks, affecting gas-tightness, voltage degradation, AC impedance, polarization curve, and characteristic parameters.