Abstract
Stabilized forms of heteropolyacids (HPAs), namely phosphomolybdic acid (PMA), phosphotungstic acid (PTA), and silicotungstic acid (STA), are incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) cross-linked with sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) to form mixed-matrix membranes for application in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Bridging SSA between PVA molecules not only strengthens the network but also facilitates proton conduction in HPAs. The mixed-matrix membranes are characterized for their mechanical stability, sorption capability, ion-exchange capacity, and wetting in conjunction with their proton conductivity, methanol permeability, and DMFC performance. Methanol-release kinetics is studied ex situ by volume-localized NMR spectroscopy (employing "point-resolved spectroscopy") with the results clearly demonstrating that the incorporation of certain inorganic fillers in PVA-SSA viz., STA and PTA, retards the methanol-release kinetics under osmotic drag compared to Nafion, although PVA-SSA itself exhibits a still lower methanol permeability. The methanol crossover rate for PVA-SSA-HPA-bridged-mixed-matrix membranes decreases dramatically with increasing current density rendering higher DMFC performance in relation to a DMFC using a pristine PVA-SSA membrane. A peak power density of 150 mW/cm2 at a load current density of 500 mA/ cm2 is achieved for the DMFC using a PVA-SSA-STA-bridged-mixed- matrix-membrane electrolyte.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | B1403-B1412 |
Journal | Journal of the Electrochemical Society |
Volume | 157 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2010 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Chemistry