Abstract
A composite membrane for fuel cell applications was prepared by incorporating custom-made graphene oxide (GO) in Nafion resin. The GO was used to provide mechanical reinforcement to Nafion. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of highly crystalline and individually-dispersed graphene oxide sheets. Tensile strength, water uptake, swelling, proton conductivity and electrical conductivity of the composite membranes were measured and compared with pure Nafion. The polarization curves indicated that the fuel cell performance of the 3wt% GO/Nafion composite membrane was similar to that of the pure Nafion membrane, but the composite membrane was superior to Nafion in terms of mechanical properties.
Highlights
Fuel cells are an important enabling technology for the nation’s energy portfolio and have the potential to revolutionize power generation by offering a cleaner, more-efficient alternative to the combustion of gasoline and other fossil fuels
We investigated the use of graphene oxide to provide mechanical reinforcement to the Nafion membrane
The degree of oxidation in the GO sheet was estimated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
Summary
Fuel cells are an important enabling technology for the nation’s energy portfolio and have the potential to revolutionize power generation by offering a cleaner, more-efficient alternative to the combustion of gasoline and other fossil fuels. The presence of porous PTFE in the composite membrane decreases its proton conductivity.[6] Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted particular attention for their unique structural, mechanical, and electrical properties, with extensive applications in many fields.[7,8] Studies using MWCNTs in polymer-composites reported an increased storage modulus.[9] While MWCNTs can be used to mechanically reinforce the membrane, the addition of MWCNTs may cause the formation of an electron transport pathway across the membrane’s thickness which is detrimental to fuel cell performance. Choi et al prepared GO/Nafion membranes for DMFC applications and found that the transport properties of Nafion are favorably modified by the incorporation of GO, which greatly enhanced fuel cell performance.[13] Functionalized graphene oxides have been explored to improve water retention of fuel cell membranes.
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