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A fluorinated polymer/inorganic composite electrolyte membrane for intermediate temperature fuel cells
Author(s) -
Li Mingqiang,
Scott Keith
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.1876
Subject(s) - membrane , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , polytetrafluoroethylene , proton conductor , electrolyte , materials science , polymer , chemical engineering , composite number , polymer chemistry , composite material , conductivity , hydrogen , chemistry , organic chemistry , electrode , engineering , biochemistry
SUMMARY Composite membranes based on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and silicon dioxide (PTFE/SiO 2 × HPO 3 ) are fabricated to act as a fuel cell membrane for operation at temperatures from 120 to 200°C. A porous PTFE membrane is used as the membrane supporting structure and SiO 2 × HPO 3 sol as the proton conductor. SEM and EDX show that the sol clusters are connected together and adhered to the PTFE polymer. This structure completely fills the pores of the PTFE and minimises the gas cross‐over. The PTFE/SiO 2 × HPO 3 membrane has a high proton conductivity, up to 0.14 S cm −1 at a relative humidity lower than 0.5%. The PTFE/SiO 2 × HPO 3 composite membrane gives the modest performance when it is tested in a hydrogen fuel cell although it is a potential material for the intermediate‐temperature proton‐conducting membrane fuel cell. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.