Amelioration of PEMFC performance at high temperature by incorporation of nanofiller (sepiolite/layered double hydroxide) in Nafion membrane

Abstract

Nanoheterostructured material composed of sepiolite clay mineral in which is assembled a MgAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) was used in the preparation of Nafion composite electrolyte membranes and their behavior compared to those of membranes filled with the LDH alone. Both, the neat MgAl LDH and the MgAl LDH-sepiolite hybrid materials were obtained via the co-precipitation method. Sepiolite fibers provide a large external surface area for bonding MgAl LDH particles while maintaining high microporosity and water molecules. The nanocomposite membranes were prepared incorporating different amount of LDH or LDH-sepiolite hybrid. Composite membranes present better water retention, good thermal properties and high proton conductivities at high temperatures than the pure Nafion membrane. The proton conductivity at 100 °C and 100% RH reaches a value of 0.13 S/cm for the LDH-sepiolite Nafion membrane whereas is only 0.010 S/cm in the case of the Nafion membrane. Fuel cell tests using Nafion membranes containing LDH or LDH-sepiolite hybrid as composite electrolytes show a good result for the operation of the PEMFC at 80 °C, 100 °C and 110 °C, with a clear favoring effect of the LDH-sepiolite filler for operation at the highest temperatures.