Open AccessEffects of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Thickness and Equivalent Weight (EW) on the PEM Fuel Cell Performance at Different Cell Operating Temperatures
Author(s) -
Abdulhamed A. Sghayer,
Adel Diyaf,
Khaled A. Mazuz,
Naji A. Issa
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
al-ṭāqaẗ al-s̆amsiyyaẗ wa-al-tanmiyyaẗ al-mustadāmaẗ/solar energy and sustainable development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2414-6013
pISSN - 2411-9636
DOI - 10.51646/jsesd.v9i1.16
Subject(s) - proton exchange membrane fuel cell , membrane , electrolyte , conductivity , materials science , membrane electrode assembly , fuel cells , ionomer , analytical chemistry (journal) , electrode , chromatography , chemistry , chemical engineering , composite material , polymer , engineering , copolymer , biochemistry
The proton conductivity of Nafin 112, 1035, 1135, 115, and 117 membranes has been studied. Measurements were made in 1 M H2SO4 at 298 K using a four-electrode, dc technique. The membrane area resistance increases with thickness, and it was 0.065, 0.092, 0.076, 0.115, and 0.13 Ω. cm2 for Nafin 112, 1035, 1135, 115, and 117 membranes respectively. Th results also showed that the proton conductivity of Nafin 112, 1035, 1135, 115, and 117 membranes was 0.09, 0.11, 0.10, 0.13, and 0.16 S.cm-1 respectively.In the PEM fuel cell applications, it was observed that the optimum Nafin ionomer wt.% requirement does not change with the membrane thickness and the membrane EW. In addition, the Nafin 1035 membrane can remain hydrated for longer than the Nafin 1135, or Nafin 112 membranes because it’s EW is (1000) lower than the Nafin EW of Nafin 1135 (1100), and Nafin 112 (1100). In other words, a higher performance, more stable, and longer life PEM fuel cell can be obtained by using Nafin 1035 membrane as a solid electrolyte especially for high operating temperature.