Development of Structural and Electrical Properties of Freestanding Silicon Membrane Doped Lithium

M. Jaouadi, H. Ezzaouia

Abstract: Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are emerging as a significant contributor to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable future as an energy conversion solution. However, the choice of cell component material offers a novel option for acquiring a high - performance fuel cell Proton exchange membrane has functions of proton transfer and electrode isolation in fuel cell. In this line, Proton conducting composite membrane was developed by impregnation of lithium bromide solution (LiBr) into mesoporous silicon, which was prepared using electrochemical etching process. The incorporation of lithium in the mesoporous structure reveal differences in surface morphology as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It's observed that the electronic conductivity of the freestanding mesoporous silicon membrane (MFr) was significantly enhanced by approximately two orders of magnitude through lithium doping. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used to simulate the different resistances of the fuel cell membrane and effectively explains the improved performance of the composite membranes. These results demonstrate the successful integration of a new class of protonic conductor into a microfabricated silicon fuel cell.

Keywords: Free - standing mesoporous silicon membrane (MFr), Lithium Bromide (LiBr), I (V) measurement, Electrical conductivity, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy