Posted in Technology - Energy and Cleantech
Fuel cells are the most promising alternatives to the ignition and diesel engines currently used in motor vehicles. The so-called polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM-FC) are particularly intriguing in this context. The polymeric electrolyte forms a membrane with a very high conductivity for protons. The higher the operating temperature of the fuel cell and the conductivity of the membrane, the higher the efficiency of the system.
At the moment the most widely used material for the preparation of the membranes is Nafion®. This material, however, has the major drawback that its use is limited to an operating temperature of about 80°C. In addition, its wide-spread use in cars is hampered by a limited electrical conductivity and a less-than-perfect efficiency. IoLiTec's declared goal is to develop a membrane that can be used at higher operating temperatures which results in more powerful and more efficient fuel cells. A number of different ways to achieve this goal using ionic liquids are presently being investigated. Initial results are very promising and IoLiTec is confident that the development of such new materials will be successful.
In addition, IoLiTec is planning to intensify its research activities with regard to the development of gas purification systems for fuel cells on the basis of ionic liquids in 2007.
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