Fabrication and characterization of composite membranes for PEMFC

Fabrication and characterization of composite membranes for PEMFC

Fabrication and characterization of composite membranes for PEMFC
M. Sánchez-Molina1, Nuria Rojas G-Pardo1, Leandro González Rodríguez1, L. Rodriguez1 and
Carmen del Río Bueno2
1
Centro Nacional del Hidrógeno, Prolongación Fernando el Santo s/n, CP 13500 Puertollano, Spain.
2
Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros, calle Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006. Madrid. Spain.
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are a class of low temperature fuel cells characterized by a high energy
density, good compatibility with the environment and wide variety of applications.
In this work, several hybrid organic-inorganic composite ionomers based on Nafion have been fabricated and evaluated in
order to be used as electrolytes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Doctor Blade technique has been the
method used to fabricate these membranes since it simplifies the synthesis and scale-up of hybrid films. Thereby, very
homogeneous composite membranes with high reproducibility and low thicknesses have been easily obtained.
The experimental hybrid membranes have been evaluated in terms of water uptake, ion exchange capacity and proton
conductivity and further characterized by Total Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR ATR) and Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM). Finally, the hybrid membranes have been used in the fabrication of membrane-electrode assemblies
(MEAs), fitted in single cells and tested in operating conditions.
The results have allowed optimizing the method of preparation of the films and determining those membranes with the best
performance and potential applicability as electrolytes in PEMFCs.