Energy Harvesting of Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites Based on Microcellular Foamed Nafion in Aqueous Environment

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine how to improve the energy-harvesting properties of polymer electrolyte membranes by varying their porosity. We achieved this by applying microcellular foaming process (MCP) to Nafion-based ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMCs). We manufactured an IPMC by forming a Pt electrode through an electroless plating method on the Nafion film, to which porosity was imparted by varying the foaming ratio and inducing deformation by vibrating the specimen using a prototype device that we developed ourselves. We attempted to harvest energy via fluid flow that occurred owing to displacement movement. When the Nafion film was foamed at a temperature of 140 °C or higher, it was observed that cells with size of approximately 1 µm or more were formed, and when the saturation temperature was lowered, a denser and larger number of cells were formed. Moreover, the cells formed on the electrolyte membrane allowed the retention of more water. Water retention generated charges contributed to the operational stability of IPMC. This was attributed to the difference in the amount of charge generated by changing only the internal morphology of the electrolyte membrane, without changing the substrate or the electrode material.

IPMC Based Flexible Platform: A Boon to the Alternative Energy Solution

“…The proficiency of the IPMC electrolyser generally decreases as the voltage applied increases. However, for higher temperatures (45°C, 55°C and 65°C), an increase in the productivity of the IPMC generator is seen as the voltage applied surges from 4 V to 5 V. When the temperature is low (45°C), it behaves similarly to IPMC at Water content, capacitance, and output current versus frequency variations according to the foaming ratio of IPMC specimen [55].…”

“…These are for the containing of water in the IPMC matrix and affecting the responses as a relaxation factor depicts the prominence outcome of the capacitance. [55] The obtained yields are delineated in Figure 8.…”

“…Figure 8.Water content, capacitance, and output current versus frequency variations according to the foaming ratio of IPMC specimen[55].…”

Ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC): an overview and its sensing applications

“…In contrast to the shoe energy device [11,12] mentioned above, this collector is only limited to the device with micro nanowatt power, and the power generated is small, which is not enough to be used in the field of immense power. To improve the energy collection performance of IPMC, Kweon et al [15] coated both sides of the Nafion film of IPMC with precious metal Pt employing a microcellular foaming process. The film foamed at a high temperature of more than 140 degrees Celsius.…”

Real-Time Implementation of a New MPPT Control Method for a DC-DC Boost Converter Used in a PEM Fuel Cell Power System

“…They are considered to be the energy source of the twenty-first century due to their high power densities, lightweight, low operating temperature (quick start-up), long cycle life, as well as zero pollution [8][9][10]. Therefore, they have been used in many fields such as transportation, aircraft, distributed generation, and especially in stationary and mobile applications [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. In these applications, the PEMFC is usually coupled with a DC-DC power electronic converter that provides an efficient power conversion to the load, and also offers highly regulated output voltage [19][20][21][22][23].…”