zeocell
cabecera zeocell

Project summary

The PEMFC technology represents one of the most promising opportunities in the field of the alternative fuels for an environmentally friendly energy production. However, for these fuel cells to become commercially successful there are a number of challenges to be met. One of keys of success of PEMFC technology is the development of improved and mass manufacturable electrolyte membrane materials that can operate at a temperature range of 130-200ºC since it has been proved that, operating at T>120ºC can overcome most of the functional problems currently associated with PEMFC.

The use of composite or heterogeneous materials is a clear research path for the development of improved electrolyte membrane materials. Some material combinations, such as polymer-ionic liquid composites or polymer-zeolite composites, have already been investigated as potential candidates for PEMFC electrolyte membranes.

ZEOCELL project will develop a nanostructured electrolyte membrane based on a new composite multifunctional material made by the synergic combination of zeolites, ionic liquids and polymers that is proposed for the first time within the framework of this project. This innovative membrane will be able to operate at 130-200ºC in high temperature PEMFCs and will show the following features:

  1. High ionic conductivity: ≥100 mS/cm at 150ºC.
  2. Suitability for operating at temperatures between 130-200ºC (the membrane materials are conceived to be thermically stable up to 200ºC. Membrane performance will be validated on single cells at temperatures up to 150ºC minimum).
  3. Good chemical, mechanical and thermal stability up to 200ºC.
  4. Durable .
  5. Low fuel cross-over.
  6. Reduced manufacturing costs.
Cidetec
Cegasa
Solvionic
Centro Ricerche Fiat
cegasa
University of Twente

ZEOCELL. Nanostructured electrolyte membranes based on polymer/ionic liquids/zeolite composites for high temperature PEMFCs