Acid doped polybenzimidazoles based membrane electrode assembly for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell: A review

High temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) are proficient clean energy conversion devices for automotive and stationary applications. HT-PEMFC could mitigate the CO poisoning, humidity and heat management, and sluggish of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Acid doped polybenzimidazoles (PBIs)/functionalized PBIs polymer electrolyte membranes are familiar uses for HT-PEMFC because of high proton conductivity with thermo-mechanical stability. Proton conductivity of PBI membranes is greatly promising by acid doping dimension and cell operating temperature. PBI reactive sites (=NH) and acidic anions prominently contribute the proton transfer through the prolonged hydrogen bonding network. Coating and sprayed methods are prominent techniques for fabrication of gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs), although shrinkage and hairline surface cracks observed on GDEs. Multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) has been compromising unique characteristics for steady carbon support materials. Moreover, PTFE and PVDF can be used as catalyst binder to reduce corrosion rate. In this review, it has been focused the PBIs membrane, acid doping, GDEs, MEA and durability of MEA.