Chapter 12 - Beneficial effect of carbon nanotubes on membrane properties for fuel cell application

Abstract

Due to growing environmental problems, fuel cells have attracted worldwide attention as a promising alternative clean-energy source. A number of scientific groups are working to develop the fuel cell and make it a viable clean-energy option. For the fuel cell to be a feasible and economically viable innovation in materials development, a new electrocatalyst and polymer electrolyte membranes are required. Significant advancements in materials development are required for the fuel cell to be feasible for a wide range of portable, automotive, and stationary applications. There are some challenges that need to be addressed before this technology becomes competitive: for example, low conductivity at low humidity and/or high temperature (>100°C), loss of mechanical stability at high temperature (>130°C), and high-solvent crossover. Nowadays, different types of developed and modified membranes draw increasing attention for their possible application in fuel cells. The carbon nanotube (CNT) is one type of nanosized particle that offers optimum supporting material for composite membranes because of its remarkable electrical and mechanical properties, as well as interesting structure. Generally, CNTs are classified into two main types: single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs).