Materials and Cell Designs for Bipolar Fuel Cells

Abstract

The PEM-AEM interface is a critical component in bipolar membrane fuel cell operation. In this study, interfacial materials with varying conductivities were used in order to control the location of the junction within the MEA. Use of a conductive interface consisting of a single ion conductive material resulted in devices with lower interfacial resistance as compared to a neutral interface. When comparing conductive interface materials, anion-conductive materials provided lower total membrane resistance than proton-conductive materials. This decrease is attributed to the movement of the junction from the AEM surface near the cathode to the PEM surface near the anode.