Enhanced electrochemical hydrogen compression performance with a gradient water-retaining hybrid membrane

Zou, Jiexin1,2; Huang, Henghui2; Zaman, Shahid2; Yao, Keguang1,2; Xing, Shuang2; Chen, Ming2; Wang, Haijiang2; Wang, Min3

2023-02-01

10.1016/j.cej.2022.141113

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL   Impact Factor & Quartile

1385-8947

1873-3212

Stored hydrogen has become increasingly important as an efficient and clean energy source. Noiseless and highly efficient electrochemical hydrogen compressors (EHCs) have been employed in H2 fueling stations, refrigeration, and hydrogen purification. However, unequal water distribution in EHCs during operation significantly affects the compression performance. Herein, we developed a gradient hybrid membrane (PFSA/PCTS-5 + 2.5 + 1 %) for use in EHCs by synthesizing phosphorylated chitosan (PCTS) using chitosan, 2-phosphonate butane-1, 2, 4-tricarboxylic acid, and other water-retaining components. Advanced physical characterizations were employed to analyze the morphology, chemical structure, proton conductivity, water uptake ratio, hydrophilicity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the membranes. Furthermore, the membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) fabricated with PFSA/PCTS hybrid membranes exhibited significant performance enhancement at a 50 % RH. The PFSA/PCTS-5 + 2.5 + 1 %-based MEA yields an EHC that can compress H2 up to 0.9 MPa in 419 s (at 50 % RH) and up to 1.0 MPa in 137 s (at 100 % RH) in compression testing. EIS analysis reveals that the ohmic resistance decreased markedly due to gradient hybrid structure of membrane. Such a remarkable performance is attributed to the gradient structure, high hydrophilicity of the functional groups (-OH, -NH2), and good proton conductivity arising from the synergetic effect of phosphate groups and carboxyl groups.

Electrochemical hydrogen compressors Water retention Gradient Hybrid membrane MEA

SCI

English

Corresponding

Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program[2016ZT06N500] ; National Natural Science Foundation of China["22208376","U22A20429"] ; China University of Petroleum (East China)[22CX06025A]

Engineering

Engineering, Environmental ; Engineering, Chemical

WOS:000917376400001

ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA

ENGINEERING

Web of Science

1.Harbin Inst Technol, Sch Mech Engn, Harbin 150000, Peoples R China
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mech & Energy Engn, Shenzhen 518000, Peoples R China
3.China Univ Petr East China, Coll New Energy, Qingdao 266580, Peoples R China

Zou, Jiexin,Huang, Henghui,Zaman, Shahid,et al. Enhanced electrochemical hydrogen compression performance with a gradient water-retaining hybrid membrane[J]. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL,2023,457.

Zou, Jiexin.,Huang, Henghui.,Zaman, Shahid.,Yao, Keguang.,Xing, Shuang.,...&Wang, Min.(2023).Enhanced electrochemical hydrogen compression performance with a gradient water-retaining hybrid membrane.CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL,457.

Zou, Jiexin,et al."Enhanced electrochemical hydrogen compression performance with a gradient water-retaining hybrid membrane".CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL 457(2023).