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Nafion/titanium silicon oxide nanocomposite membranes for PEM fuel cells
Author(s) -
Devrim Yılser,
Erkan Serdar,
Baç Nurcan,
Eroglu Inci
Publication year - 2013
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.2909
Subject(s) - membrane , nafion , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , materials science , thermogravimetric analysis , nanocomposite , chemical engineering , scanning electron microscope , oxide , composite material , electrode , electrochemistry , chemistry , metallurgy , biochemistry , engineering
SUMMARY In the present study, Nafion/Titanium Silicon Oxide (TiSiO 4 ) nanocomposite membranes were prepared by recasting method for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The composite membrane containing 10 wt% TiSiO 4 had a membrane thickness of 80 µm. The membrane was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM and XRD results have proven the uniform and homogeneous distribution of TiSiO 4 in Nafion, and consequently, the crystalline character of these membranes was enhanced. The energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis has also indicated uniform distribution of TiSiO 4 on the surface of the nanocomposite membrane. The existence of nanometer‐size TiSiO 4 has improved the thermal resistance, water uptake, and proton conductivity of composite membranes. Single fuel cell tests were performed at different operating temperatures with membrane electrode assemblies prepared by Nafion and Nafion/TiSiO 4 nanocomposite membranes. The highest performance was obtained with Nafion/TiSiO 4 membrane at 85 °C. These results indicate that Nafion/TiSiO 4 composite is a promising membrane material for possible use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.