A porous poly(tetrafluoro ethylene) (PTFE) thin film (thickness 16±2 μm) is used as a supporting material for polybenzimidazole (PBI) to prepare the PBI/PTFE composite membrane (thickness 38±2 μm). The perfluorosulfonic acid resin (Nafion) is used as a coupling agent at the interface between PTFE and PBI to improve the bonding between PBI and PTFE. The composite membrane, after doping with phosphoric acid, is used to prepare membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). A 450 h continuous fuel cell life test at 160°C with a fixed current density i 0 200 mA cm −2 and a 20 cycles cell on/off test, in which the fuel cell is operated at 160°C with i0200 mA cm −2 for 12 h and then switched off at room temperature in an ambient environment for 12 h per cycle, are performed. Both tests show good fuel cell performances.

Experiments have been conducted to examine the adsorption/desorption characteristics of 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b) by granular activated carbon (GAC) and extruded activated carbon. HCFC-141b is currently deemed an excellent replacement for CFC-11, a foaming agent widely used in the rigid polyurethane foam industries. Experimental results of adsorption and desorption were analyzed in terms of the equilibrium capacity, time to reach equilibrium and desorption efficiency of the adsorbent, and with the aim of assessing the viability of using both adsorbents for possible HCFC-141b recovery. The results have clearly revealed great potential for both adsorbents for this purpose.