Nafion®/TiO2 composite membranes for PEM fuel cells operating at elevated temperature and reduced relative humidity

Elena Chalkova, Gregory M. Rybka, Mark V. Fedkin, David J. Wesolowski, Mark G. Roelofs, Serguei N. Lvov

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Our approach for elevating the operational temperature of PEM fuel cells above 100°C is to use inorganic particles inside a composite membrane. Inorganic components tend to enhance water retention at elevated temperatures and can reduce undesirable crossover processes. In this study, we compared the properties of the Nafion®/TiO2 composite membranes fabricated from Nafion® polymers with different ion exchange capacity (IEC) - 0.91 meq/g and 1.08 meq/g. The main objective was to find a balance between the membrane IEC and the TiO2 content for optimal fuel cell performance. The membranes were tested for swelling, conductivity, and fuel cell performance under different relative humidity at 120°C. The membranes with IEC of 1.08 meq/g demonstrated better transport properties and much higher performance in a PEMFC. However, excessive swelling of membranes with IEC of 1.08 meq/g caused instability in performance at high current densities and this can be detrimental to membrane durability. copyright The Electrochemical Society.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells 6
PublisherElectrochemical Society Inc.
Pages73-82
Number of pages10
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)1566775019
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
EventProton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells 6 - 210th Electrochemical Society Meeting - Cancun, Mexico
Duration: Oct 29 2006Nov 3 2006

Publication series

NameECS Transactions
Number1
Volume3
ISSN (Print)1938-5862
ISSN (Electronic)1938-6737

Other

OtherProton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells 6 - 210th Electrochemical Society Meeting
Country/TerritoryMexico
CityCancun
Period10/29/0611/3/06

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Engineering

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