PubAg

Main content area

Crosslinked sulfonated poly(vinyl alcohol)/sulfonated multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite membranes for direct methanol fuel cells

Author:
Yun, Sungjin, Im, Hyungu, Heo, Yusun, Kim, Jooheon
Source:
Journal of membrane science 2011 v.380 no.1-2 pp. 208-215
ISSN:
0376-7388
Subject:
artificial membranes, crosslinking, fuel cells, methanol, ion exchange, carbon nanotubes, nanocomposites, glutaraldehyde, polyvinyl alcohol, sulfonic acids, permeability
Abstract:
Organic/inorganic membranes based on sulfonated poly(vinyl alcohol) (s-PVA) and sulfonated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (s-MWNTs) nanocomposite membranes (SPVA) with various compositions were prepared for use as proton exchange membranes in direct membrane fuel cells (DMFCs). The SPVA membranes were cross-linked with both glutaraldehyde and s-MWNTs to reduce the level of water (methanol) uptake. The unreacted carboxylic acid and sulfonic acid of the s-MWNTs were also cross-linked with the hydroxyl groups of the PVA matrix. The ion exchange capacity (IEC) and proton conductivity of the membranes initially increased with increasing amount of s-MWNTs, because the s-MWNTs have abundant sulfonic acid groups. The composite membranes exhibited excellent proton conductivity ranging from 0.032 to 0.075S/cm as well as low methanol permeability ranging from 1.12×10⁻⁸ to 3.32×10⁻⁹cm²s⁻¹ at 60.
Agid:
1018757