Perfluorinated composite membranes with organic antioxidants for chemically durable fuel cells

Abstract

A perfluorinated composite membrane incorporating an organic antioxidant was prepared to improve the chemical durability of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Bipyridine and benzoquinone (BQ) were added as organic antioxidants, and the oxidative stability of the composite electrolyte membranes containing them was evaluated via accelerated aging tests, i.e., an ex situ Fenton's test and in situ open-circuit voltage (OCV)-holding test. The effects of the antioxidants in the Fenton's test were verified using scanning electron microscopy, fluorine ion detection, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and tensile strength measurements. Moreover, a commercial membrane, NRE211, and a composite membrane, Nafion-BQ, were incorporated into a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that then underwent an OCV-holding test for 500 h. The change in the MEA state over time was analyzed using cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry. While NRE 211 showed a significant reduction in OCV from 300 h, Nafion-BQ maintained a stable OCV for 500 h. Hence, the organic antioxidants added to the electrolyte membrane effectively improved the oxidative stability of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell without sacrificing the ionic conductivity of the perfluorinated electrolyte membrane.