As fuel cells can be considered as the possible key for clean and efficient vehicles, it is probably just a matter of time until fuel cell-powered automobiles will roll in our cities and on our highways in large numbers. Up to that point, there are still some improvements to be made, especially concerning durability and costs. After a brief description of the state-of-the-art in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology for mobile applications, we will discuss the functions of the individual parts of an automotive fuel cell propulsion system which get in contact with (hydrogen) fuel. We will present in detail the components in which polymers serve as functional or structural materials and will provide an overview of today's solutions and tomorrow's choices. Finally, observations on hydrogen safety and the actual situation of codes and standards will be made. While the feasibility of fuel cell powered passenger vehicles with promising characteristics has already been demonstrated by numerous prototypes, the major barrier to market entry are the non-competitive costs. As the necessary reduction can only partly be achieved by the transition to mass production techniques and recycling of components, the fuel cell system has to be simplified and cheaper functional materials will have to be developed. The top priority is the replacement of today's perfluorinated proton-conducting membrane working at 80 deg C by a material that is suitable for fuel cell operation around 120 deg C without external humidification and which at the same time is less expensive. Furthermore, high-performance polymers can be used for many other components of the fuel cell propulsion system. Bipolar plates made of graphite/polymer composites with integrated gaskets could be used instead of surface-treated stainless steel. Polymer fibers with high tensile strength are an alternative to carbon fibers for carrying the load of high pressure hydrogen tanks. Quite probably, the hydrogen fuel lines will be made of high-performance polymers or at least contain them in multi-layer designs. The advancements in technology have to be accompanied by an international harmonization of codes and standards related to hydrogen and fuel cells to allow the transition to a hydrogen economy in the near future.


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    Titel :

    Polymer materials for automotive fuel cells - functions and further requirements


    Weitere Titelangaben:

    Polymermaterialien für Automobil-Brennstoffzellen - Funktionen und weitere Anforderungen


    Beteiligte:


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2005


    Format / Umfang :

    8 Seiten, 8 Bilder, 1 Tabelle, 4 Quellen



    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Konferenz)


    Format :

    Print


    Sprache :

    Englisch




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