Polybenzimidazole/Mxene composite membranes for intermediate temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa9ab0
• Publication Date: 2017-11-14T19:15:17Z
• Authors: Mingming Fei; Ruizhi Lin; Yuming Deng; Hongxi Xian; Renji Bian; Xiaole Zhang; Jigui Cheng; Chenxi Xu; Dongyu Cai
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 7. Clean energy

This report demonstrated the first study on the use of a new 2D nanomaterial (Mxene) for enhancing membrane performance of intermediate temperature (>100 °C) polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (ITPEMFCs). In this study, a typical Ti3C2T x -MXene was synthesized and incorporated into polybenzimidazole (PBI)-based membranes by using a solution blending method. The composite membrane with 3 wt% Ti3C2T x -MXene showed the proton conductivity more than 2 times higher than that of pristine PBI membrane at the temperature range of 100 °C-170 °C, and led to substantial increase in maximum power density of fuel cells by ∼30% tested at 150 °C. The addition of Ti3C2T x -MXene also improved the mechanical properties and thermal stability of PBI membranes. At 3 wt% Ti3C2T x -MXene, the elongation at break of phosphoric acid doped PBI remained unaffected at 150 °C, and the tensile strength and Young's modulus was increased by ∼150% and ∼160%, respectively. This study pointed out promising application of MXene in ITPEMFCs.