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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
06:39
Membraneless Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cells as a Promising Clean Energy Source
Published on: October 20, 2023
Cross-linked Ion-Pair Microporous Polymers Enabling Durable High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Ge Chao1, Hyeon Keun Cho1, Chang Yeon Hyun1
1Department of Energy Engineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|August 12, 2026
Summary
A new polymer membrane enables high-temperature fuel cells to operate stably up to 220°C. This breakthrough improves proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance and durability at extreme temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Phosphoric acid (PA)-doped ion-pair polymers are used as proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for high-temperature fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) operating up to 160°C.
- Conventional ion-pair PEMs show performance degradation and unstable proton transport above 160°C.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel cross-linked ion-pair microporous polymer for stable ultra-high-temperature PEM fuel cell operation.
- To enhance proton transport and phosphoric acid anchoring within the entire membrane electrode assembly.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a cross-linked ion-pair microporous polymer, poly(spirobisindane-co-terphenyl piperidinium) (C50-PSTP-x).
- Simultaneous use of C50-PSTP-x as both the PEM and catalyst-layer ionomer.
- Characterization of structural features including ion-pair coordination, microporosity, and cross-linking.
Main Results:
- C50-PSTP-x enabled stable fuel cell operation at temperatures up to 220°C.
- Achieved high peak power densities (0.680-0.778 W cm⁻²) with low Pt loading (0.5 mgPt cm⁻²).
- Demonstrated excellent durability with low voltage decay rates (57.8 µV h⁻¹ over 800 h at 160°C; 33.3 µV h⁻¹ over 500 h at 180°C).
Conclusions:
- The developed polymer platform provides strong acid anchoring and efficient proton transport for ultra-high-temperature PEM fuel cells.
- This work expands the operational temperature window and long-term stability of next-generation HT-PEMFCs.
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