Effect of Modified Nanoclay Composite on Blended PVDF/PEG Electrolyte Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (03) ◽  
pp. 1760042 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Bahavan Palani ◽  
K. Sainul Abidin ◽  
R. Kannan ◽  
S. Rajashabala
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Water Uptake ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Thermo Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Chromatographic Technique ◽  
Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Additive Concentration ◽  
Nanocomposite Membranes

This research work describes the fabrication of polymer blend nanocomposite membranes using the solution casting method. These membranes were fabricated with Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride) (PVdF) as host, Poly (Ethylene Glycol) (PEG) in steps of 2[Formula: see text]wt.% as blending polymer and Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay particles in steps of 3[Formula: see text]wt.% which were used as received. The protonated MMT was synthesized through an ion exchange process with column chromatographic technique. The prepared membrane’s performance was investigated using different characterization techniques of Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), water uptake, IEC and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Thermal stability was decreased while adding PEG into PVDF but it is controlled with the addition of MMT on PVDF/PEG blend matrix. Moreover, It is noticed that, the increase of water uptake, IEC by the increasing additive concentration of PEG and MMT. XRD studies reveal the increased amorphous phase with uniform exfoliation of nanoclay particles. The highest proton conductivity value of 0.127[Formula: see text]S cm[Formula: see text] is obtained with 9[Formula: see text]wt.% of MMT in the PVdF/PEG/MMT composite membranes at room temperature with 100% Relative Humid (RH) condition and 10 V.% of sulfonation. The blended nanocomposite membranes fulfill the requirements of proton exchange membrane for fuel cell application.

scholarly journals The Effect of Sulfated Zirconia and Zirconium Phosphate Nanocomposite Membranes on Fuel Cell Efficiency

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudzani Sigwadi ◽  
Touhami Mokrani ◽  
Phumlani Msomi ◽  
Fulufhelo Nemavhola
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Conductivity ◽  
Water Uptake ◽  
Zro2 Nanoparticles ◽  
Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Nanocomposite Membranes ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Cell Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Deterioration

To investigate the effect of acidic nanoparticles on proton conductivity, permeability and fuel cell performance, a commercial Nafion® 117 membrane was impregnated with zirconium phosphates (ZrP) and sulfated zirconium (S-ZrO2) nanoparticles. The tensile test, water uptake, methanol crossover, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to assess the ca-pacity of nanocomposite membrane to function in a fuel cell. The modified Nafion® membrane obtained the higher water uptake and a lower water content angle than the commercial Nafion® 117 membrane, indicating that it has a greater impact on conductivity. Under strain rates of 40, 30 and 20 mm/min, the nanocomposite membranes demonstrate more stable thermal deterioration and higher mechanical strength, which offers tremendous promise for fuel cell applications. When compared to 0.113 S/cm and 0.013 S/cm, respectively, of commercial Nafion® 117 and Nafion® ZrP membranes, the modified Nafion® membrane with ammonia sulphate acid had the highest proton conductivity of 7.891 S/cm. When tested using a direct single cell methanol fuel cell, it had the highest power density of 183 m. cm-2 which is better than commercial Nafion® 117 and Nafion® ZrP membranes.

Development of proton-exchange polymer nanocomposite membranes for fuel cell applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 492-501
Author(s):  
Sivasubramanian Gandhimathi ◽  
Hariharasubramanian Krishnan ◽  
Deivanayagam Paradesi
Keyword(s):  
Proton Conductivity ◽  
Water Uptake ◽  
Thermal Studies ◽  
Polymer Nanocomposite ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Nanocomposite Membranes ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Electrolyte Membranes

The design and development of proton conducting polymer electrolyte membranes from a linear constituent, sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK), and inorganic additive, niobium oxide (NBO), have been achieved. The degree of sulfonation of SPEEK was measured by back titration method and found to be 57%. The physicochemical properties such as water uptake ability, ion-exchange capacity, swelling ratio, proton conductivity, and thermal stability of the prepared polymer nanocomposite membranes were studied in detail. The distribution of NBO throughout the polymer matrix has been examined by scanning electron microscopic and X-ray diffraction analyses and found to be uniform. The SP-NBO-10 composite membrane shows 38.4% of water uptake, whereas the pristine membrane limits to 27.1%. The prepared electrolyte membranes exhibit good proton conductivity at temperature varying from 30°C to 90°C and possess less activation energy for the transportation of proton by the incorporation of NBO filler. The thermal studies demonstrated that the stability of the composite membranes was significantly enhanced by the impregnation of NBO. The filler NBO shows excellent improvements on the polymer nanocomposite, making it a very promising additive for other polymers and offers new roads for energy applications.

On the Synthesis and Characterization of Silica-Doped/Sulfonated Poly-(2,6-Dimethyl-1,4-Phenylene Oxide) Composite Membranes for Fuel Cells

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Ebrasu ◽  
Irina Petreanu ◽  
Mihai Varlam ◽  
Dorin Schitea ◽  
Ioan Stefanescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Conductivity ◽  
Water Uptake ◽  
Sol Gel ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Differential Scanning Calorimetric ◽  
Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Phenylene Oxide ◽  
Sulfonated Poly

The objective of this investigation is to study silica-doped/sulfonated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) composite membranes for operation in hydrogen/oxygen proton-exchange membrane fuel cells ranging from room temperature (RT) up to 120 °C. The sulfonated PPO composite membranes were prepared using a sol–gel process employing reaction with tetra-ethoxysilane (TEOS) followed by heat treatment at 60, 90, and 120 °C, respectively. The presence of silicon oxide in the composite membranes was evaluated using FTIR spectroscopy, while thermal properties were studied using thermal gravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetric (TGA-DSC) measurements. Additionally, ion exchange capacity, water uptake, and proton conductivity characterizations were also carried out. It was observed that water uptake for 75% PPO sulfonated composite membrane treated at 120 °C is higher than that of NafionTM membrane and the proton conductivity value measured at 120  °C is 0.35·10−1 S/cm. Therefore, the composite membranes are potentially suitable for high temperature fuel cell applications.

scholarly journals The Effect of Sulfated Zirconia and Zirconium Phosphate Nanocomposite Membranes on Fuel-Cell Efficiency

Polymers ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 263
Author(s):  
Rudzani Sigwadi ◽  
Touhami Mokrani ◽  
Phumlani Msomi ◽  
Fulufhelo Nemavhola
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Conductivity ◽  
Water Uptake ◽  
Zirconium Phosphate ◽  
Zro2 Nanoparticles ◽  
Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Nanocomposite Membranes ◽  
Solid Superacids ◽  
Proton Conducting ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance

To investigate the effect of acidic nanoparticles on proton conductivity, permeability, and fuel-cell performance, a commercial Nafion® 117 membrane was impregnated with zirconium phosphates (ZrP) and sulfated zirconium (S-ZrO2) nanoparticles. As they are more stable than other solid superacids, sulfated metal oxides have been the subject of intensive research. Meanwhile, hydrophilic, proton-conducting inorganic acids such as zirconium phosphate (ZrP) have been used to modify the Nafion® membrane due to their hydrophilic nature, proton-conducting material, very low toxicity, low cost, and stability in a hydrogen/oxygen atmosphere. A tensile test, water uptake, methanol crossover, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to assess the capacity of nanocomposite membranes to function in a fuel cell. The modified Nafion® membrane had a higher water uptake and a lower water content angle than the commercial Nafion® 117 membrane, indicating that it has a greater impact on conductivity. Under strain rates of 40, 30, and 20 mm/min, the nanocomposite membranes demonstrated more stable thermal deterioration and higher mechanical strength, which offers tremendous promise for fuel-cell applications. When compared to 0.113 S/cm and 0.013 S/cm, respectively, of commercial Nafion® 117 and Nafion® ZrP membranes, the modified Nafion® membrane with ammonia sulphate acid had the highest proton conductivity of 7.891 S/cm. When tested using a direct single-cell methanol fuel cell, it also had the highest power density of 183 mW cm−2 which is better than commercial Nafion® 117 and Nafion® ZrP membranes.

Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/ N-Methylene Phosphonic Chitosan/ 2-Hydroxyethylammonium Formate (PVA/NMPC/2-HEAF) Membrane for Fuel Cell Application

2021 ◽  
Vol 317 ◽  
pp. 440-446
Author(s):  
Siti Aminah Mohd Noor ◽  
Lee Tian Khoon ◽  
Mohd Sukor Su'ait ◽  
Siow Yook Peng ◽  
Kee Shyuan Loh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Water Uptake ◽  
Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Crosslinking Agent ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Poly Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Casting Technique ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The cost of conventional membrane, Nafion® used in the current proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is high. Thus different alternatives are being proposed as an option of Nafion® membrane in PEMFC application. In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol)/ N-methylene phosphonic chitosan/ 2-hydroxyethylammonium formate (PVA/NMPC/2-HEAF) proton exchange membrane was prepared using the solution casting technique. The effects of 2-HEAF concentrations (0 – 20 wt.%) on crosslinked and non-crosslinked PVA/NMPC/2-HEAF membrane were studied. The characterizations of PVA/NMPC/2-HEAF membrane were done by Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), water uptake test, ion exchange capacity (IEC) analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The crosslinkages (-O-CH2-O-) formed using formaldehyde crosslinking agent were confirmed through the formation of new peak by –CH2- stretching at around 2863 cm-1 and the increased intensity of C-O stretching absorption. Crosslinked PVA/NMPC/5 wt.% 2-HEAF membrane showed the highest percentage of water uptake and IEC value. The EIS result agrees with the water uptake and IEC analysis where crosslinked PVA/NMPC/5 wt.% 2-HEAF showed the highest ionic conductivity of 5.44 × 10-5 S cm-1. This is due to the plasticization effect of 2-HEAF that softened the polymer chains and which it also provided more charge carriers to increase the ion mobility in the membrane.

Nanocomposite SPEEK/Titania Nanosheets (TNS) Proton Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications

2009 ◽  
Vol 421-422 ◽  
pp. 447-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debora Marani ◽  
S. Licoccia ◽  
Enrico Traversa ◽  
Masaru Miyayama
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Conductivity ◽  
Water Uptake ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Proton Exchange Membranes ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Unique Nature ◽  
Exchange Membrane

SPEEK-based composite membranes containing various amounts of titania nanosheets (TNS) as inorganic fillers were investigated for proton exchange membrane fuel cell applications. The samples were characterized for water uptake, proton conductivity (EIS), and structural features (SEM and XRD). Composites at low inorganic additive contents exhibited improved properties in terms of proton conductivity and water uptake behavior. Best improvements were observed for the composite containing only 0.95 wt% of TNS. This result could be associated to the unique nature of the two dimensional nanostructure of the inorganic additive.

scholarly journals Hybrid Proton-Exchange Membrane Based on Perfluorosulfonated Polymers and Resorcinol–Formaldehyde Hydrogel

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 4123
Author(s):  
Alexandra Maria Isabel Trefilov ◽  
Adriana Balan ◽  
Ioan Stamatin
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Ionic Conductivity ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Thermo Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Resorcinol Formaldehyde ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Organic resorcinol–formaldehyde (RF) hydrogels were introduced into a hybrid cation-exchange membrane in order to enhance its following properties: water uptake, thermal stability, and ionic conductivity. This study was aimed to investigate the modifications induced by the RF organic clusters that form a uniform distributed network within the perflourosulfonated acid (PFSA) matrix. RF concentration was controlled by resorcinol and formaldehyde impregnation time using water or ethanol solvents. The specific morphological and structural properties were characterized by atomic force microscopy, UV–Vis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Thermo-gravimetric analysis was employed to study the thermal stability and degradation processes of the composite membranes. Proton conductivity, as a function of relative humidity (RH) at 80 °C, was measured using in-plane four-point characterization technique. Compared to the pristine membrane, the PFSA–RF hybrid membranes showed improved thermal stability at up to 46 °C and higher ionic conductivity for low RF content, especially at low relative humidity, when using ethanol-based solvents. Single fuel cell testing on RF-based membrane–electrode assembly revealed impeccable fuel crossover and power performance at 80 °C and 40% relative humidity, delivering a 76% increase in power density compared to a reference assembled with a pristine membrane and the same catalyst loadings.

Synthesis, characterization and corrosion protection properties of polyN-(p-bromophenyl)-2-methacrylamide-co-glycidyl methacrylate on low nickel stainless steel

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (2-3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakvai Mohammed Safiullah ◽  
Deivasigamani Thirumoolan ◽  
Kottur Anver Basha ◽  
K. Mani Govindaraju ◽  
Dhanraj Gopi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Corrosion Protection ◽  
Glycidyl Methacrylate ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Thermo Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Gel Permeation Chromatography ◽  
Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Protection Efficiency ◽  
Ft Ir

Abstract The synthesis of copolymers from different feed ratios of N-(p-bromophenyl)-2- methacrylamide (PBPMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was achieved by using free radical solution polymerization technique and characterized using FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the synthesized copolymers was studied using thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The molecular weight of the copolymer is determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The corrosion performances of low nickel stainless steel specimens dip coated with different composition of copolymers were investigated in 0.5 M H2SO4 using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) techniques. The polarization and impedance measurements showed different corrosion protection efficiency with change in composition of the copolymers. It was found that the corrosion protection properties are owing to the barrier effect of the polymer layer covered on the low nickel stainless steel surfaces. However, it is observed that the mole ratio of PBPMA and GMA plays a major role in the protective nature of the copolymer.

scholarly journals Design of Promising Green Cation-Exchange-Membranes-Based Sulfonated PVA and Doped with Nano Sulfated Zirconia for Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 4205
Author(s):  
Marwa H. Gouda ◽  
Noha A. Elessawy ◽  
Sami A. Al-Hussain ◽  
Arafat Toghan
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Sulfated Zirconia ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Proton Exchange Membranes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Poly Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Binary Polymer ◽  
Physicochemical Features ◽  
Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells

The direct borohydride fuel cell (DBFC) is a low-temperature fuel cell that requires the development of affordable price and efficient proton exchange membranes for commercial purposes. In this context, super-acidic sulfated zirconia (SO4ZrO2) was embedded into a cheap and environmentally friendly binary polymer blend, developed from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and iota carrageenan (IC). The percentage of SO4ZrO2 ranged between 1 and 7.5 wt.% in the polymeric matrix. The study findings revealed that the composite membranes’ physicochemical features improved by adding increasing amounts of SO4ZrO2. In addition, there was a decrease in the permeability and swelling ratio of the borohydride membranes as the SO4ZrO2 weight% increased. Interestingly, the power density increased to 76 mW cm−2 at 150 mA cm−2, with 7.5 wt.% SO4ZrO2, which is very close to that of Nafion117 (91 mW cm−2). This apparent selectivity, combined with the low cost of the eco-friendly fabricated membranes, points out that DBFC has promising future applications.

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