New cross-linked PVA based polymer electrolyte membranes for alkaline fuel cells

In this paper, we report a cheap and easy method for the preparation of anion exchange membranes based on a KOH doped and crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) for alkaline fuel cells. Ionic conductivity and thermal and chemical stability are investigated as a function of the crosslinking density. The newly developed membranes exhibit high long term ionic conductivity as well as high chemical stability showing the strength of this concept to overcome the disadvantage of leakage when the liquid electrolytes are used. Evaluation of the membranes in an alkaline fuel cell using commercially available electrodes shows an OCV of 0.95 V and high current density of approximately 200 mA cm−2 combined with a maximum of power density of 72 mW cm−2 at 0.34 V. Optimization of the gas diffusion electrodes and fuel cell operation at higher temperatures are expected to further increase the performance.