TSE performs fundamental research on membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) systems working at temperatures up to 200°C without the need of humidifying the feed gases. The membrane will be a composite consisting of an appropriate carrier polymer and an appropriate proton conducting ionic liquid (PIL), i.e. will be an alternative to HT-PEMFCs based on polybenzimidazole doped with phosphoric acid, the present state-of-the-art.
Research goals are
- Polymer/ionic liquid composites with good proton conductivity.
- Electro-catalysts for improved kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
Fuel cells running at temperatures well above 100 °C allow the use of their waste heat for heating purposes (combined heat and power).
