The Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell is one of the most attractive energy conversion devices, used in particular as a power source for stationary and mobile applications (stationary power generation, small portable applications, powering cars�). In the case of a strong deployment of this technology, it seems important to study their recyclability and their eco-design. The major part of the PEMFC cost comes from the membrane electrode assembly and more particularly from platinum and sulfonated fluor-polymer membrane used. That's why this study is focused both on platinum and membrane recovery and re-use.The platinum of the MEA could be recovered by direct leaching of the MEA or by leaching the ash after MEA incineration at 600� C (indirect leaching). Direct and indirect leaching of the MEA by aqua regia were performed in this study. The direct lixiviation led to a platinum recovery efficiency of 50 %  compared to the 60% efficiency in the case of indirect leaching. Nevertheless this protocol does not allow the membrane recovery.At the end of life of a PEMFC, the separation of the different layers of the MEA is not easy, due to the aging of the different materials. The second part of the study was so focused on the delamination of used MEAs with the goal to recover the polymer membrane and the catalyst. For this reason, used 5 layer MEAs were processed with different organic solvents (mostly lower alcohols and a glycol ether) and their water mixtures, using either sonication or mechanical stirring. Among the treatments tested, the use of ultrasounds in isopropanol or diethylenglycol-monomethyl-ether yielded the best results. The electrodes were totally removed and Nafion� was recovered. The platinum can then be recovered from electrodes by the previously developed procedure.

Recycling of different components of PEM fuel cell membrane electrodes assemblies

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.