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Poly(arylene ether sulfone)-based ionomers containing sulfofluorenyl groups have been synthesized for applications to polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In order to achieve high proton conductivity and chemical, mechanical, and dimensional stability, the molecular structure of the ionomers has been optimized. Tough, flexible, and transparent membranes were obtained from a series of modified ionomers containing methyl groups with the ion-exchange capacity (IEC) ranging from 1.32 to 3.26 meq/g. Isopropylidene tetramethylbiphenylene moieties were more effective than the methyl-substituted fluorenyl groups in giving a high-IEC ionomer membrane with substantial stability to hydrolysis and oxidation. Dimensional stability was significantly improved for the methyl-substituted ionomer membranes compared to that of the non-methylated ones. This new ionomer membrane showed comparable proton conductivity to that of the perfluorinated ionomer membrane (Nafion 112) under a wide range of conditions (80-120 degrees C and 20-93% relative humidity (RH)). The highest proton conductivity of 0.3 S/cm was obtained at 80 degrees C and 93% RH. Although there is a decline of proton conductivity with time, after 10 000 h the proton conductivities were still at acceptable levels for fuel cell operation. The membranes retained their strength, flexibility, and high molecular weight after 10 000 h. Microscopic analyses revealed well-connected ionic clusters for the high-IEC membrane. A fuel cell operated using the polyether ionomer membrane showed better performance than that of Nafion at a low humidity of 20% RH and high temperature of 90 degrees C. Unlike the other hydrocarbon ionomers, the present membrane showed a lower resistance than expected from its conductivity, indicating superior water-holding capability at high temperature and low humidity.

Amorphous vanadium oxide/carbon composite (V2O5/C) was first applied to the positive electrode active material for rechargeable aluminum batteries. Electrochemical properties of V2O5/C were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge tests. Reversible reduction/oxidation peaks were observed for the V2O5/C electrode and the rechargeable aluminum cell showed the maximum discharge capacity over 200 mAh g(-1) in the first discharging. The XPS analyses after discharging and the following charging exhibited that the redox of vanadium ion in the V2O5/C active material occurred during discharging and charging, and the average valence of V changed between 4.14 and 4.85.

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and H(2)O(2) formation at Nafion-coated film electrodes of bulk-Pt and Pt nanoparticles dispersed on carbon black (Pt/CB) were investigated in 0.1 M HClO(4) solution at 30 to 110 degrees C by using a channel flow double electrode method. We have found that the apparent rate constants k(app) (per real Pt active surface area) for the ORR at bulk-Pt (with and without Nafion-coating) and Nafion-coated Pt/CB (19.3 and 46.7 wt % Pt, d(Pt) = 2.6 to 2.7 nm) thin-film electrodes were in beautiful agreement with each other in the operation conditions of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), i.e., 30-110 degrees C and ca. 0.7 to 0.8 V vs RHE. The H(2)O(2) yield was 0.6-1.0% at 0.7-0.8 V on all Nafion-coated Pt/CB and bulk-Pt and irrespective of Pt-loading level and temperature. Nafion coating was pointed out to be a major factor for the H(2)O(2) formation on Pt catalysts modifying the surface property, because H(2)O(2) production was not detected at the bulk-Pt electrode without Nafion coating.

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Aluminum bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Al(TFSI) 3 ) was synthesized by a simple substitution reaction and investigated as the Al 3+ source for the electrolyte of a rechargeable Al battery. The electrochemical window was extended to 3.6 V with the electrolyte containing Al(TFSI) 3 in AN, whereas it was ∼2.5 V with the conventional electrolyte for the Al rechargeable battery. A reversible electrochemical Al deposition/dissolution reaction was observed on a Mo plate electrode with small overpotential less than 0.5 V. NMR and Raman spectra identified the main Al species in the electrolyte as Al(TFSI − ) x (AN) 6-x 3-x (x = 1 ∼ 6).

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