Mass transport in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is critical to their efficiency and energy output, especially the transfer of protons and water that occurs in the PEM. Here, we describe designing and fabricating a novel composite PEM based on perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) and polyethyleneimine functionalized with methylphosphonic acid (PEIMPA), with the aim of constructing efficient mass transfer pathways using long-range acid–base pairs. Improvements in water absorption/retention, proton conductivity, and single-cell performance resulted from these long-range transfer pathways, as the acid–base pairs and abundant water-retaining groups in the membrane enhanced the connectivity of the hydrophilic zone, forming new proton and water transport pathways. These improvements in water and proton transport also gave the PFSA/PEIMPA composite membranes higher reversal tolerance. Their excellent physical and chemical properties make these membranes promising candidates for PEMFC applications by reducing dependency on water content, enhancing fuel cell performance at low relative humidity, and improving the fuel cell’s tolerance toward reversal.

中文翻译：

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基于功能化聚乙烯亚胺的具有长距离酸基-对质子转移途径的新型质子交换膜

质子交换膜燃料电池（PEMFC）中的质量传输对其效率和能量输出至关重要，尤其是发生在PEM中的质子和水的转移。在这里，我们描述了基于全氟磺酸（PFSA）和被甲基膦酸（PEIMPA）官能化的聚乙烯亚胺的新型复合材料PEM的设计和制造，目的是利用远程酸碱对构建高效的传质途径。这些长距离转移途径改善了水的吸收/保留，质子传导性和单电池性能，因为膜中的酸碱对和丰富的保水基团增强了亲水区的连通性，从而形成了新的质子和水的运输途径。水和质子传输的这些改进也使PFSA / PEIMPA复合膜具有更高的逆转耐受性。它们具有优异的物理和化学性能，通过减少对水含量的依赖性，增强低相对湿度下的燃料电池性能以及提高燃料电池的逆转耐受性，使这些膜成为PEMFC应用的有前途的候选者。