Abstract
In this study, the direct methanol fuel cell performance of Nafion ®/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blend membranes at 5, 10, and 20 wt% PVA (annealed at 230 °C) was investigated at various methanol feed concentrations (2, 4, 8, and 16 M) and compared to the performance of Nafion ® 117 at similar membrane thicknesses and fuel cell conditions. For Nafion ® 117, the maximum power density decreased three-fold when the methanol feed concentration increased from 2 to 16 M. The Nafion ®/PVA (5 wt% PVA) blend membrane reveals a similar trend, however the decrease in power is only 26% compared to 47% when methanol concentration is increased from 2 to 8 M. Furthermore, the maximum power density of the blend membrane (5 wt% PVA) is higher than Nafion ® 117 at 2, 4, and 8 M methanol feed concentrations, while the maximum power density at 16 M is comparable between the two membranes. Specifically, at 8 M methanol, the maximum power density of the blend at 5 wt% PVA is 33% higher than Nafion ® 117. Blend membranes at higher PVA concentrations are noticeably lower in performance compared to Nafion ® 117. Overall, fuel cell performance trends match observed transport property (proton conductivity and methanol permeability) trends.
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.
