solid polymer electrolyte

The search for solvents to prepare polymer electrolytes based on polyurethane elastomer by swelling method was carried out. The greatest swelling was observed in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and the maximum degree of swelling was reached in 24 hours at 25°C. The swelling effect decreased with increasing the salt concentration. The ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolytes reached the maximum of 6–8·10-4 S/cm at 5 wt% of lithium salt.

Composition and structure of proton-exchange membrane fuel cell catalytic layers were investigated. Modelling of catalytic layer vas considered. This model allows to calculate layers containing particles of polymer and the catalyst of various forms and sizes. Dependence of conductivity and active layer surface area on concentration of polymer particles is shown. Best performance of a fuel cell is observed at the polymer concentration in a layer of 30–35% vol.

Concerning performance, safety, reliability and durability issues, the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) is probably the weakest cell component. Most performance losses and most accidents occurring during PEM water electrolysis are usually due to the MEA. The purpose of this article is to report on specific degradation mechanisms of the MEA and electrolyser in whole.

Using complex models, including the solution percolation problem and electrochemical kinetics calculations are considered the features of a solid polymer fuel cell catalyst layers with a catalyst based on nanoscale carbon materials, including graphene nanowires. These calculations are consistent with the experimental data presented by optimizing the composition of the catalyst layers. It is shown that the addition of 20 wt.\% nanofibres graphene can reduce ohmic losses from the ion current and improve the performance of the fuel cell is 20%