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Superacidic Electrospun Fiber‐Nafion Hybrid Proton Exchange Membranes
Author(s) -
Yao Yingfang,
Lin Zhan,
Li Ying,
Alcoutlabi Mataz,
Hamouda Hechmi,
Zhang Xiangwu
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201100435
Subject(s) - materials science , membrane , nafion , fiber , ionomer , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , chemical engineering , electrospinning , composite material , polymer , electrode , chemistry , biochemistry , engineering , copolymer , electrochemistry
A novel type of hybrid membrane has been fabricated by incorporating superacidic sulfated zirconia (S‐ZrO 2 ) fibers into recast Nafion for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). With the introduction of electrospun superacidic fiber mats, a large amount of protogenic groups aggregated in the interfacial region between S‐ZrO 2 fibers and the ionomer matrix, forming continuous pathways for facile proton transport. The resultant hybrid membranes had high proton conductivities, which were controlled by selectively adjusting the fiber diameter and fiber volume fraction. Consequently, the superacidic S‐ZrO 2 electrospun fibers are promising filler materials and hybrid membranes containing S‐ZrO 2 fiber mats can be potentially used in high‐performance fuel cells.