Quaternized poly (2.6 dimethyl – 1.4 phenylene oxide)/Polysulfone anion exchange membrane reinforced with graphene oxide for methanol alkaline fuel cell application

The Effect of Sulfated Zirconia and Zirconium Phosphate Nanocomposite Membranes on Fuel-Cell Efficiency

To investigate the effect of acidic nanoparticles on proton conductivity, permeability, and fuel-cell performance, a commercial Nafion^® 117 membrane was impregnated with zirconium phosphates (ZrP) and sulfated zirconium (S-ZrO₂) nanoparticles. As they are more stable than other solid superacids, sulfated metal oxides have been the subject of intensive research. Meanwhile, hydrophilic, proton-conducting inorganic acids such as zirconium phosphate (ZrP) have been used to modify the Nafion^® membrane due to their hydrophilic nature, proton-conducting material, very low toxicity, low cost, and stability in a hydrogen/oxygen atmosphere. A tensile test, water uptake, methanol crossover, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to assess the capacity of nanocomposite membranes to function in a fuel cell. The modified Nafion^® membrane had a higher water uptake and a lower water content angle than the commercial Nafion^® 117 membrane, indicating that it has a greater impact on conductivity. Under strain rates of 40, 30, and 20 mm/min, the nanocomposite membranes demonstrated more stable thermal deterioration and higher mechanical strength, which offers tremendous promise for fuel-cell applications. When compared to 0.113 S/cm and 0.013 S/cm, respectively, of commercial Nafion^® 117 and Nafion^® ZrP membranes, the modified Nafion^® membrane with ammonia sulphate acid had the highest proton conductivity of 7.891 S/cm. When tested using a direct single-cell methanol fuel cell, it also had the highest power density of 183 mW cm^-2 which is better than commercial Nafion^® 117 and Nafion^® ZrP membranes.

Anion Exchange Membranes with 1D, 2D and 3D Fillers: A Review

Hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC) are clean energy conversion devices that are an attractive alternative to the more common proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), because they present, among others, the advantage of not using noble metals like platinum as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. The interest in this technology has increased exponentially over the recent years. Unfortunately, the low durability of anion exchange membranes (AEM) in basic conditions limits their use on a large scale. We present in this review composite AEM with one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional fillers, an approach commonly used to enhance the fuel cell performance and stability. The most important filler types, which are discussed in this review, are carbon and titanate nanotubes, graphene and graphene oxide, layered double hydroxides, silica and zirconia nanoparticles. The functionalization of the fillers is the most important key to successful property improvement. The recent progress of mechanical properties, ionic conductivity and FC performances of composite AEM is critically reviewed.