Abstract
Membrane morphology plays a great role in determining the performance of polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs), especially for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. Membrane morphology can be divided into two types, which are dense and porous structures. Membrane fabrication methods have different configurations, including dense, thin and thick, layered, sandwiched and pore-filling membranes. All these types of membranes possess the same densely packed structural morphology, which limits the transportation of protons, even at a low methanol crossover. This paper summarizes our work on the development of PEMs with various structures and architecture that can affect the membrane’s performance, in terms of microstructures and morphologies, for potential applications in DMFCs. An understanding of the transport behavior of protons and methanol within the pores’ limits could give some perspective in the delivery of new porous electrolyte membranes for DMFC applications.
Highlights
The development of renewable energy to combat the environmental impact of fossil fuels has gained great attention in recent years
Yang et al [63] conducted an experiment on the effect of ion exchange capacity (IEC) on the proton conductivity of pristine sulfonated poly sulfone (SPSU), composite SPSUgraphene oxide (GO), as well as a hybrid SPSU-functional polymer brush and modified graphene oxide (FPGO)
In a study by Sonpingkam and Pattavarakorn [69], they found that a small amount of inorganic filler enhanced the tensile strength of pristine sulfonated poly (SPEEK) membranes when compared to loading an amount higher than 3 wt.%
Summary
The development of renewable energy to combat the environmental impact of fossil fuels has gained great attention in recent years. The core preparation for electrolyte electrolyte membranes in the DMFC application should consist of free proton (H +) ions. This may membranes in the DMFC application should consist of free proton (H+ ) ions This may refer to the refer to the acid electrolyte or acid polymer that can provide a pathway for protons to be transferred acid electrolyte or acid polymer that can provide a pathway for protons to be transferred from the from the anode to the cathode side. The development of electrolyte membrane fabrication was mainly designed to meet the requirements of the excellent performance of DMFC with high proton conductivity (>0.05 Scm−1 ). Low methanol permeability (
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