Synthesis of anion exchange membranes and ionomers for application in electrochemical conversion devices

• Grant number: 19/26955-3
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal researcher: Fabio Coral Fonseca
• Grantee: Ana Laura Gonçalves Biancolli
• Home Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/11937-4 - A sustainable path to methane conversion by advanced electrochemical technologies, AP.PCPE

Abstract

Climate issues and the need to reduce emissions of environmentally harmful gases have driven demand for clean energy sources. In this context, hydrogen energy and fuel cells play an important role. On the other hand, to meet the energy demand, the production of fossil fuels is still the majority and it has as its main byproduct the methane gas. Methane electrochemical converters are an interesting technology for mitigating the potential effects of gas emissions, with concomitant energy production. In the context of producing clean energy and/or minimizing the effects of harmful gases from fossil fuels, this project intends to meet these expectations from the development of Anion Exchange Membranes (AEMs) to be used as solid electrolyte in electrochemical devices such as fuel cell technology and converters of methane to higher value-added products such as methanol. It is also intended to develop Anion Exchange Ionomers (AEIs) that will be used as polymeric binders in the electrodes of those electrochemical reactors. AEMs are the main component of electrochemical systems operating in alkaline environment. These membranes have numerous advantages, such as significantly lower cost compared to state-of-the-art acid membrane (Nafion®), less corrosive environment and significantly lower crossover of fuels from the anode to the cathode. However, the main reason why AEMs and AEIs are not yet highly disseminated is the low chemical stability of the functional groups attached to the polymer backbone against the attack of hydroxide ions (OH-), specifically in low hydration media. Among the parameters that affect the preparation of radiation-grafted AEMs and AEIs are those directly related to the radiation source (nature of irradiation, dose rate and dose) and others related to inherent components of the grafting reaction, such as nature of monomer, nature of polymeric film, concentration of monomers, addition of diluents, addition of crosslinking agents, temperature of reaction, addition of inhibitor and film thickness; besides the chemical structure of the amine used in the functionalization reaction. In this context, to obtain more stable materials with specific properties, such as high Ion Exchange Capacities (IEC), this study aims to vary the above parameters in order to obtain unprecedented AEMs and AEIs with subsequent application in electrochemical devices of interest. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BIANCOLLI, ANA LAURA G.; BSOUL-HAJ, SAJA; DOUGLIN, JOHN C.; BARBOSA, ANDREY S.; DE SOUSA JR, ROGERIO R.; RODRIGUES JR, ORLANDO; LANFREDI, ALEXANDRE J. C.; DEKEL, DARIO R.; SANTIAGO, ELISABETE I. High-performance radiation grafted anion-exchange membranes for fuel cell applications: Effects of irradiation conditions on ETFE-based membranes properties. JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE, v. 641, JAN 1 2022. Web of Science Citations: 0.

BIANCOLLI, ANA LAURA G.; BARBOSA, ANDREY S.; KODAMA, YASKO; DE SOUSA, JR., ROGERIO R.; LANFREDI, ALEXANDRE J. C.; FONSECA, FABIO C.; REY, JOSE FERNANDO Q.; SANTIAGO, ELISABETE I. Unveiling the influence of radiation-induced grafting methods on the properties of polyethylene-based anion-exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, v. 512, NOV 15 2021. Web of Science Citations: 0.