Room Temperature Ionic Liquid-Activated Nafion Polymer Electrolyte for High Temperature Operation

Nafion polymer electrolyte, which is essential material of polymer fuel cells, is activated by water and shows conductivity. However, such aqueous electrolyte is volatile at room temperature, and the operating temperature is limited to 100 degrees C. In order to overcome this problem, we tried to activate Nafion polymer electrolyte by using room temperature ionic liquids. The influence of the molecular structure of room temperature ionic liquid on conductivity is evaluated by controlling ethyl, butyl, and iso-butyl groups into an alkyl group of alkylmethylimidazolium cation. Also their anion structure is controlled with tetrafluoroborate and bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide. For the high conductivity of Nafion polymer electrolytes, Nafion polymer electrolytes with high conductivity and high temperature operation are studied by mixing 60-120 wt% of room temperature ionic liquids during casting of Nafion solution.