Development of a hyperbranched fuel cell membrane material for improved proton conductivity

A new material for proton conducting membrane with a higher proton transport but reduced water transport is being developed. The new material optimizes proton channel formation, this reducing water transport at the same time. Different proton transporting groups along with different gas flowing channels are examined as well. To meet the goals we design, synthesize, and simulate various proton transporting groups using MD techniques for faster optimization, which in turn helps to synthesize and test only promising structures in the laboratory. At the same time, computer modeling is used to improve the fuel cell system at various operating conditions, specifically by changing a variety of membrane parameters (properties) in the design units. This is compared to the results obtained with the newly-synthesized PEM membrane. A schematic of the synthesis of the hyperbranched, fluorinated polymer is described as well.