Proton exchange membranes with high cell performance based on Nafion/poly(p-phenylene vinylene) composite polymer electrolyte

• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2007.06.049
• Publication Date: 2007-06-29T17:56:33Z
• Authors: Hyunyoo Kim; Moon-Sung Kang; Dong Hoon Lee; Jongok Won; Jungahn Kim; Yong Soo Kang
• Keywords: Nafion

Proton exchange membranes based on Nafion/poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) composites were prepared by the heat treatment of a Nafion/PPV precursor, and investigated regarding their applicability for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The power density of MEA using Nafion/PPV composites was increased with increasing the PPV precursor concentration of the precursor solutions and reached 34 mW/cm 2 , which is much greater than that using bare Nafion (∼26 mW/cm 2 ). The improved MEA performance was primarily due to a significant decrease in the methanol permeability with only a minimal loss of the ionic conductivity through the formation of PPV grains inside of the ionic channels and on the Nafion surface. The structure and properties of the Nafion/PPV composites were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, ion exchange capacity, water contact angle, and water uptake. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.