Continuous graphene oxide nanolayer arranged on hydrophilic modified polytetrafluoroethylene substrate to construct high performance proton exchange membranes

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO) nanolayer, combining extraordinary mechanical properties, separation performance and chemical stability, holds great promise for widespread applications. The current preparation of GO nanolayer is complex and requires expensive and technical equipment, which limits the further development. In this work, we deposit GO nanolayer on TiO2 modified Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film by controlling the concentration of GO in suction filtration process. Subsequently, Nafion is sprayed on the surface of the complex to construct a composite membrane with excellent proton conductivity and prominent fuel isolation efficiency (methanol permeability: 4.18 × 10−7 cm2 s−1; hydrogen permeability: 2.76 × 10−15 mol m−1 s−1 Pa−1). Compared with commercial Nafion 117, the TiO2 modified PTFE/GO film acts as the substrate to reduce the content of Nafion (reduced by 70%). Through simple suction filtration process, the high-performance fuel cell composite membrane can be prepared with low-cost, which greatly promotes the application process of fuel cell.