Water transport in anion and proton exchange membranes

Water balance in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) is crucial because water not only is produced in the anode but also functions as a reactant in the cathode. Therefore, accurate measurement of AEM water transport properties is important for AEM design to improve AEMFC performance and durability. Very few studies report water transport properties of AEMs; even in those limited studies, interfacial transport rates were either not considered in data analysis or not given as a function of water activity. In this work, the liquid-vapor permeation method was used to determine the water flux across the Aemion (R) AH1-HNN8-50-X, Fumapem (R) FAA-3-30/50, and VersogenTM PiperION-A40. Using three numerical models, the results were analyzed to understand whether diffusion or interfacial transport resistances were limiting, and the values were estimated. Our results indicate that interfacial transport is limiting; therefore, the interfacial exchange rate and its activation energy were determined. Water desorption rate of AH1-HNN8-50-X is similar to Nafion (R) N115 and N117 (10-5-10-4 cm/s), and the activation energy for this process is also similar at 53.4 kJ/mol. On the other hand, FAA-3-30/50 and PiperION-A40 exhibit two to three times faster desorption and a lower activation energy: 46.0, 41.8, and 46.8 kJ/mol, respectively.

Automated summary

Water balance in anion exchange membrane fuel cells is crucial for improving performance and durability. Accurate measurement of water transport properties is important for AEM design. This study used the liquid-vapor permeation method to determine water flux and analyzed the results using three numerical models. The findings suggest that interfacial transport is the limiting factor.