Hydroxide Ion Exchange Polymers

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Program:
IONICS
Award:
$2,445,327
Location:
Troy, New York
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
01/20/2017 - 07/19/2022
Website:

Technology Description:

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) will develop hydroxide ion-conducting polymers that are chemically and mechanically stable for use in anion exchange membranes (AEM). Unlike PEMs, AEMs can be used in an alkaline environment and can use inexpensive, non-precious metal catalysts such as nickel. Simultaneously achieving high ion conductivity and mechanical stability has been a challenge because high ion exchange capacity causes swelling, which degrades the system’s mechanical strength. To solve this problem, the team plans to decouple the structural units of the AEM that are responsible for ion conduction and mechanical properties, so that each can contribute to the overall properties of the AEM. The team will also use channel engineering to provide a direct path for ion transport, with minimal room for water, in order to achieve high ion conductivity with low swelling. If successful, the team hopes to create a pathway to the first commercial hydroxide ion exchange membrane products suitable for electrochemical energy conversion technologies.

Potential Impact:

If successful, developments made under the IONICS program will create a fundamentally lower cost trajectory for electrochemical systems, such as fuel cells and electrolyzers, which are currently based on proton exchange membranes.

Security:

IONICS program innovations could contribute to energy storage and conversion solutions for transportation and the grid, lessening U.S. dependence on imported oil and improving grid resilience.

Environment:

Greater integration of renewable resources into the power mix will reduce the need for other more carbon-intensive forms of electricity generation.

Economy:

IONICS program innovations could permit the use of the oxygen and hydrogen electrodes with low-cost catalysts and other components, which could save over 50% of current fuel cell stack costs (at high volume) and reduce vehicle fuel cell system and combined heat and power system costs by about 25%.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Grigorii Soloveichik
Project Contact:
Prof. Chulsung Bae
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
baec@rpi.edu

Partners

Georgia Institute of Technology
Xergy Incorporation
ProtonOnSite

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Release Date:
02/26/2016