Abstract
The efficacy of added metal oxides and metal nanoparticles in mitigating free radical induced polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) degradation was investigated. Freestanding and silica supported platinum, palladium, silver and gold nanoparticles, cerium oxide and manganese oxide supports, and ceria supported platinum nanoparticles were prepared. The nanoparticles were characterized by TEM and XRD to determine the particle and crystallite size. Their radical scavenging tendency was estimated by UV-vis spectroscopy using a model free radical (DPPH) as a test species. Composite membranes were prepared by adding 3 wt% of the freestanding or supported metal nanoparticles to Nafion®, followed by solvent casting. The fluoride emission rate (FER) was ascertained for each membrane from accelerated tests. The addition of Au, Pd, Pt and Ag nanoparticles led to lowering of FER by an order of magnitude, 75%, 60% and 35% respectively while the addition of MnO2, CeO2 and Pt on CeO2 nanoparticles resulted in an order of magnitude FER reduction, indicating effective radical scavenging by the nanoparticles. Hence, the addition of metal nanoparticles and metal oxides with radical scavenging abilities is a promising route to mitigate PEM degradation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
