May
13
Protons are the next big thing when it comes to fuel cell technology. The subatomic exchange produces power on a scale that challenges contemporary solid-state fuel cell technology, used to help power space shuttles.
The team focused on a material called polyoxometalates (POMs), which they previously fabricated into a composite with another polymer and compounds to help provide structural stability.
Study paper author Masahiro Sadakane, professor in the Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University explained, “POMs are attractive as building blocks for the design and synthesis of new materials with desirable properties and functions – they can efficiently transport protons, for example, but only at low temperatures and in low humidity. Unfortunately, a huge problem remained to be solved is that our composite decomposed at higher temperatures and humidity.”
To solve this problem, the researchers investigated how to better tune the composite by encapsulating positively charged ions in the material’s internal cavities. Positive ions, known as cations, help balance negatively charged ions, known as anions, to stabilize conductivity in a material.
Ultra-High Proton Conduction via Extended Hydrogen-Bonding Network in Polyoxometalate-based Framework Functionalized with Lanthanide Ion. Image Credit: Hiroshima University. Click image for the largest view.
They settled on incorporating europium, a metallic element that is solid at room temperature, into the material. Europium is particularly attractive to water molecules, which brings external oxygen into the material. Protons move through the system by attaching to the oxygen. The more oxygen, the more proton-conductive the process is.
“Our goal is to produce stable high proton-conductive materials,” said paper author Sayaka Uchida, associate professor in the Department of Basic Science, School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo. “Through fine control of the components, we produced such a material.”
The material continued to demonstrate high proton conductivity at temperatures of 368° Kelvin (202.73° Fahrenheit) and 50% humidity. The researchers plan to increase the stability and proton conductivity further.
Sadakane said, “We plan to increase the stability and proton conductivity so that this material can be used as an electrolyte in fuel cells, enhancing their performance. This work could provide guidance for the design of solid-state proton conductors.”
This looks like real progress. Fuel cells are in need of consumer acceptance with great output, a long lifespan and competitive pricing with industrial commercial production at scale for good profitability. There might even be low cost, safe and easily made fuels like methanol (CH3OH) that could be useful solving the hydrogen storage conundrum. One day the fuel cell transportation power plant is going to be real.
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