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Nanoscale membrane electrode assemblies based on porous anodic alumina for hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell

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Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate that nanoscale membrane electrode assemblies, functioning in a H2/O2 fuel cell, can be fabricated by impregnation of anodic alumina porous membranes with Nafion® and phosphotungstic acid. Porous anodic alumina is potentially a promising material for thin-film micro power sources because of its ability to be manipulated in micro-machining operations. Alumina membranes (Whatman, 50 μm thick, and pore diameters of 200 nm) impregnated with the proton conductor were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermal analysis. The electrochemical characterization of the membrane electrode assemblies was carried out by recording the polarization curves of a hydrogen–oxygen 5 cm2 fuel cell working at low temperatures (25 ÷ 80 °C) in humid atmosphere. Our assemblies realized with alumina membranes filled with phosphotungstic acid and Nafion® reach respectively the peak powers of 20 and 4 mW/cm2 at room temperature using hydrogen and oxygen as fuel and oxidizer.

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Abbreviations

MEA:

membrane electrode assembly

AAM:

anodic alumina membranes

PWA:

phosphotungstic acid

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Acknowledgment

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from University of Palermo (Italy) and from Regione Sicilia (Program APQ Ricerca “Laboratorio dell′innovazione nel settore dei beni culturali”—delibera CIPE n.17/2003).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica dei Processi e dei Materiali, Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90129, Palermo, Italy

    P. Bocchetta, F. Conciauro & F. Di Quarto

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  1. P. Bocchetta
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  2. F. Conciauro
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  3. F. Di Quarto
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Correspondence to P. Bocchetta.

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Bocchetta, P., Conciauro, F. & Di Quarto, F. Nanoscale membrane electrode assemblies based on porous anodic alumina for hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell. J Solid State Electrochem 11, 1253–1261 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-007-0280-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-007-0280-x

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