Ultrathin anion exchange membranes with an improved OH- transfer rate for high-performance AEMFCs

Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) as the key component of alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) are closely related to their performance. Reducing membrane thickness as much as possible on the premise of ensuring electrical conductivity and mechanical strength is of great significance in improving the performance of AEMFCs. As the membrane thickness decreases, the mass transfer resistance can be significantly reduced, while the energy conversion efficiency can be improved. Here we fabricated a freestanding AEM with excellent mechanical strength and ionic conductivity with a thickness of 10 mu m, which can fulfill the fuel cell requirements. The fuel cell assembled from the fabricated freestanding ultrathin AEM presents an excellent power output of 1.8 W cm(-2) and a long-term stable operation of similar to 140 h.

Automated summary

In this study, a freestanding ultrathin AEM with excellent mechanical strength and ionic conductivity was successfully fabricated, which is suitable for improving the performance of alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells.