Membrane Processing Methods

Below are shown examples for different methods applied in our team for membrane and membrane-electrode assembly processing.

1. Preparation of membranes via casting

With this method, either homopolymer as well as blend membranes can be prepared. Below is shown the scheme for preparation of blend membranes via casting using a doctorblade:

Further reading:

Design concepts for aromatic ionomers and ionomer membranes to be applied to fuel cells and electrolysis. J. Kerres, Polymer Reviews 2015, 55, 273-306.

2. Preparation of directly coated membrane electrode assemblies

Below the different methods for the preparation of membrane electrode assemblies for electrolysis or fuel cells are depicted (CCM=catalyst-coated membrane, PTE=porous transport layer, DMD=direct membrane printing):

Further reading:

• Optimization of anodic porous transport electrodes for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers. M. Bühler, F. Hegge, P. Holzapfel, M. Bierling, M. Suermann, S. Vierrath, S. Thiele. Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2019, 7, 26984-26995.
• Directly coated membrane electrode assemblies for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis, P. Holzapfel, M. Bühler, C. V. Pham, F. Hegge, T. Böhm, D. McLaughlin, M. Breitwieser, S. Thiele. Electrochemistry Communications, Volume 110, 2020, 106640, ISSN 1388-2481.

3. Preparation of nanocomposite fuel cell membranes via electrospinning and printing

Further reading:

• Simple fabrication of 12 μm thin nanocomposite fuel cell membranes by direct electrospinning and printing, M. Breitwieser, C. Klose, M. Klingele, A. Hartmann, J. Erben, H. Cho, J. Kerres, R. Zengerle, S. Thiele. Journal of Power Sources, Volume 337, 2017, Pages 137-144, ISSN 0378-7753.
• Electrospun sulfonated poly(ether ketone) nanofibers as proton conductive reinforcement for durable Nafion composite membranes. C. Klose, M. Breitwieser, S. Vierrath, M. Klingele, H. Cho, A. Büchler, J. Kerres, S. Thiele. Journal of Power Sources, Volume 361, 2017, Pages 237-242.