title: Effect of Surface Ion Conductivity of Anion Exchange Membranes on Fuel Cell Performance.
abstract: Anion conductivity at the surfaces of two anion-exchange membranes (AEMs), quaternized ammonium poly(arylene ether) multiblock copolymer (QPE-bl-3) and quaternized ammonium poly(arylene perfluoro-alkylene) copolymer (QPAF-1), synthesized by our group was investigated using current-sensing atomic force microscopy under purified air at various relative humidities. The anion-conducting spots were distributed inhomogeneously on the surface of QPE-bl-3, and the total areas of the anion-conducting spots and the current at each spot increased with humidity. The anion-conductive areas on QPAF-1 were found on the entire surface even at a low humidity. Distribution of the anion-conducting spots on the membrane was found to directly affect the performance of an AEM fuel cell.
authors.affiliation: Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center, University of Yamanashi , 6-43 Miyamae, Kofu 400-0021, Japan.
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.affiliation: Takahata Precision Japan Co., Ltd. , 390 Maemada, Sakaigawa, Fuefuki, Yamanashi 406-0843, Japan.
authors.forename: Manai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: Shigefumi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.affiliation: Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center, University of Yamanashi , 6-43 Miyamae, Kofu 400-0021, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyatake
authors.affiliation: Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center, University of Yamanashi , 6-43 Miyamae, Kofu 400-0021, Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.affiliation: Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center, University of Yamanashi , 6-43 Miyamae, Kofu 400-0021, Japan.
authors.forename: Junji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Inukai
authors.affiliation: Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center, University of Yamanashi , 6-43 Miyamae, Kofu 400-0021, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe