scholarly journals Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Green Hybrid Nanocomposites for Application as Proton Exchange Membranes in Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa H. Gouda ◽  
Noha A. Elessawy ◽  
Diogo M.F. Santos
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Hybrid Nanocomposites ◽  
Poly Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Nanocomposite Membranes ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells

Organic–inorganic nanocomposite membranes for potential application in direct borohydride fuel cells (DBFCs) are formulated from sulfonated poly(vinyl alcohol) (SPVA) with the incorporation of (PO4-TiO2) and (SO4-TiO2) nanotubes as doping agents. The functionalization of PVA to SPVA was done by using a 4-sulfophthalic acid as an ionic crosslinker and sulfonating agent. Morphological and structural characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the successful synthesis of the doping agents and their incorporation into the polymer. The influence of PO4-TiO2 and SO4-TiO2 doping and their content on the physicochemical properties of the nanocomposite membranes was evaluated. Swelling degree and water uptake gradually reduced to 7% and 13%, respectively, with increasing doping agent concentration. Ion exchange capacity and ionic conductivity of the membrane with 3 wt.% doping agents were raised 5 and 7 times, respectively, compared to the undoped one. The thermal and oxidative stability and tensile strength also increased with the doping content. Furthermore, lower borohydride permeability (0.32 × 10−6 cm2 s−1) was measured for the membranes with higher amount of inorganic doping agents when compared to the undoped membrane (0.71 × 10−5 cm2 s−1) and Nafion®117 (0.40 × 10−6 cm2 s−1). These results pave the way for a green, simple and low-cost approach for the development of composite membranes for practical DBFCs.

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.

scholarly journals Effects of Concentration of Organically Modified Nanoclay on Properties of Sulfonated Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanocomposite Membranes

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Apiradee Sanglimsuwan ◽  
Narumon Seeponkai ◽  
Jatuphorn Wootthikanokkhan
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Conductivity ◽  
Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Methanol Permeability ◽  
Poly Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Nanocomposite Membranes ◽  
Organically Modified ◽  
Sulfonated Poly

Electrolyte nanocomposite membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells were prepared by carrying out a sulfonation of poly(vinyl alcohol) with sulfosuccinic acid and adding a type of organically modified montmorillonite (layered silicate nanoclay) commercially known as Cloisite 93A. The effects of the different concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 wt. %) of the organoclay in the membranes on water uptake, ion exchange capacity (IEC), proton conductivity, and methanol permeability were measured, respectively, via gravimetry, titration, impedance analysis, and gas chromatography techniques. The IEC values remained constant for all concentrations. Water uptakes and proton conductivities of the nanocomposite membranes changed with the clay content in a nonlinear fashion. While all the nanocomposite membranes had lower methanol permeability than Nafion115, the 6% concentration of Cloisite 93A in sulfonated poly(vinyl alcohol) membrane displayed the greatest proton conductivity to methanol permeability ratio.

scholarly journals Sulfonated Polysulfone/TiO2(B) Nanowires Composite Membranes as Polymer Electrolytes in Fuel Cells

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2030
Author(s):  
Maria Jose Martinez-Morlanes ◽  
Carmen de la Torre-Gamarra ◽  
María Teresa Pérez-Prior ◽  
Sara Lara-Benito ◽  
Carmen del Rio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Promising Candidate ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Sulfonated Polysulfone ◽  
Conducting Membranes

New proton conducting membranes based on sulfonated polysulfone (sPSU) reinforced with TiO2(B) nanowires (1, 2, 5 and 10 wt.%) were synthesized and characterized. TiO2(B) nanowires were synthesized by means of a hydrothermal method by mixing TiO2 precursor in aqueous solution of NaOH as solvent. The presence of the TiO2(B) nanowires into the polymer were confirmed by means of Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction. The thermal study showed an increase of almost 20 °C in the maximum temperature of sPSU backbone decomposition due to the presence of 10 wt.% TiO2(B) nanowires. Water uptake also is improved with the presence of hydrophilic TiO2(B) nanowires. Proton conductivity of sPSU with 10 wt.% TiO2(B) nanowires was 21 mS cm−1 (at 85 °C and 100% RH). Under these experimental conditions the power density was 350 mW cm−2 similar to the value obtained for Nafion 117. Considering all these obtained results, the composite membrane doped with 10 wt.% TiO2(B) nanowires is a promising candidate as proton exchange electrolyte in fuel cells (PEMFCs), especially those operating at high temperatures.

scholarly journals A Highly Selective Novel Green Cation Exchange Membrane Doped with Ceramic Nanotubes Material for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 5664
Author(s):  
Marwa H. Gouda ◽  
Tamer M. Tamer ◽  
Mohamed S. Mohy Eldin
Keyword(s):  
Functional Groups ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Poly Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Direct Methanol ◽  
Ceramic Nanotubes ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Herein, a pair of inexpensive and eco-friendly polymers were blended and formulated based on poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA). FTIR, XRD, EDX and TEM techniques were used to describe a Phosphated titanium oxide (PO4TiO2) nanotube synthesised using a straightforward impregnation-calcination procedure. For the first time, the produced nanoparticles were inserted as a doping agent into this polymeric matrix at a concentration of (1–3) wt.%. FTIR, TGA, DSC and XRD were used to identify the formed composite membranes. Furthermore, because there are more hydrogen bonds generated between the polymer’s functional groups and oxygen functional groups PO4TiO2, oxidative stability and tensile strength are improved with increasing doping addition and obtain better results than Nafion117. The permeability of methanol reduced as the weight % of PO4TiO2 increased. In addition, the ionic conductivity of the membrane with 3 wt.% PO4-TiO2 is raised to (28 mS cm−1). The optimised membrane (PVA/PEO/PO4TiO2-3) had a higher selectivity (6.66 × 105 S cm−3 s) than Nafion117 (0.24 × 105 S cm−3 s) and can be used as a proton exchange membrane in the development of green and low-cost DMFCs.

scholarly journals Efficient Chitosan/Nitrogen-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Membranes for Direct Alkaline Ethanol Fuel Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selestina Gorgieva ◽  
Azra Osmić ◽  
Silvo Hribernik ◽  
Mojca Božič ◽  
Jurij Svete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Nanocomposite Membranes ◽  
Ethanol Fuel ◽  
Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells ◽  
Graphene Oxides ◽  
Reduced Graphene ◽  
Structure Morphology ◽  
Graphene Derivatives ◽  
Doped Graphene

Herein, we prepared a series of nanocomposite membranes based on chitosan (CS) and three compositionally and structurally different N-doped graphene derivatives. Two-dimensional (2D) and quasi 1D N-doped reduced graphene oxides (N-rGO) and nanoribbons (N-rGONRs), as well as 3D porous N-doped graphitic polyenaminone particles (N-pEAO), were synthesized and characterized fully to confirm their graphitic structure, morphology, and nitrogen (pyridinic, pyrrolic, and quaternary or graphitic) group contents. The largest (0.07%) loading of N-doped graphene derivatives impacted the morphology of the CS membrane significantly, reducing the crystallinity, tensile properties, and the KOH uptake, and increasing (by almost 10-fold) the ethanol permeability. Within direct alkaline ethanol test cells, it was found that CS/N rGONRs (0.07 %) membrane (Pmax. = 3.7 mWcm−2) outperformed the pristine CS membrane significantly (Pmax. = 2.2 mWcm−2), suggesting the potential of the newly proposed membranes for application in direct ethanol fuel cells.

As an Alternative Membrane: Functional NanoParticles/Polymer Composites Membranes for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)

2013 ◽  
Vol 716 ◽  
pp. 98-102
Author(s):  
Ayhan Bozkurt ◽  
Ayşe Aslan
Keyword(s):  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Composite Membranes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Ternary Mixtures ◽  
Poly Vinyl Alcohol ◽  
Homogeneous Distribution ◽  
Host Matrix ◽  
Functional Nanoparticles ◽  
Uptake Studies ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Novel proton conducting nanocomposite membranes included binary and ternary mixtures of acid modified nanotitania particles particles with polymers such as poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA),pol (vinyl phosphonic acid), sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU) and poly (1-vinyl 1,2,4-triazole) (PVTri) . The interaction of functional nanoparticles with the host matrix were searched by FT-IR spectroscopy. The homogeneous distribution of functional nanoparticles in the membranes was confirmed by SEM micrographs. The spectroscopic measurements and water/methanol uptake studies suggested a complexation between polymers and sulphonic acid that inhibited the leaching out of acidic units. The TGA results verified that the presence of modified nanoparticles in the composite membranes the thermel stability of the membranes enhanced up to above 200 °C.

Solution-Based Synthesis of Magnesium Oxide Nanorods

1999 ◽  
Vol 581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Wei ◽  
C.M. Lieber
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Magnesium Oxide ◽  
Magnesium Chloride ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Transformation Process ◽  
Matrix Composites ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Oxide Nanorods

ABSTRACTA solution-based synthesis route was developed to produce large quantities of MgO nanorods. Hydrated basic magnesium chloride, which has needle-like crystal structure, was used as a precursor. A subsequent two-step transformation process with magnesium hydroxide as an intermediate product was used to preserve the morphology of the precursor to yield magnesium oxide nanorods. Scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy show that the products are very pure (>95%) crystalline MgO nanorods with diameters from 40 nm to 200 nm and lengths 10 microns or longer. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction further reveal that these MgO nanorods are single crystals and that the rod axis is along the <110> crystal direction. A model for the structural transformation from hydrated basic magnesium chloride to magnesium oxide has been developed and compared to our experimental results. This solution-based process can be easily scaled-up, and is a low-cost source of pure magnesium oxide nanorods needed in many industrial applications, for example, as reinforcing agents in matrix composites and as flux-pinning centers in high-TC superconductors.

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