ABSTRACT
The demand for high-performance energy conversion materials/devices has risen substantially due to the increased concerns in natural resources de–ciency and environmental protection. In this way, electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies such as fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors, water electrolysis, and CO2 electrochemical reduction have been recognized as the most feasible, highly ef–cient, and clean electrochemical means to help in reducing greenhouse effect and the contamination in our environment [1]. Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) materials, as the core component of these technologies, have aroused much interest in fundamental research as well as in the –eld of practical applications because of their possible use as thin-–lm solid electrolytes in various electrochemical devices. The key factors for a successful PEM should include suf–cient ionic conductivity, long-life cell performance, and acceptable production cost. PEMs can be divided into two categories: one is the alkaline PEMs, which conduct hydroxide ions (OH−), and the other is the acidic PEMs, which conduct protons (H + ) [1]. Compared with the Li-ion solid polymer electrolytes, the alkaline PEMs have been introduced to the consumers in the last decade due to the rapid market growth in portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants,
10.5Membrane Applications in Electrochemical Devices for Energy Storage and Conversion ....................................................................469 10.5.1Applications for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells ................469 10.5.2Applications for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells .................................... 470 10.5.3Applications for Anion-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells ................. 470 10.5.4Applications for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells ...................................... 470 10.5.5Application for Batteries ................................................................... 474
10.6Typical Example Analysis from Material Selection, Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications .............................................................. 474 10.6.1Cross-Linked PVA/PDDA as Anion-Exchange Membrane for
Fuel Cell Applications ...................................................................... 474 10.6.1.1Membrane Preparation....................................................... 474 10.6.1.2Cross-Linking of PVA/PDDA Membranes ....................... 475 10.6.1.3Characterizations and Applications ................................... 475
10.6.2Hydroxide-Ion-Conduction Membrane Used for Electrochemical Conversion of Carbon Dioxide in Alkaline Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Cells................................ 476 10.6.2.1Membrane Preparation....................................................... 476 10.6.2.2Characterization and Applications..................................... 477
10.6.3Hybrid Dual-Network Chitosan/PVA Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells .......................................................................... 479 10.6.3.1Membrane Preparation....................................................... 479 10.6.3.2 Characterization and Applications.....................................480
