Carbon Nanotubes Based Nafion Composite Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) containing Nafion composite membranes were prepared via melt‐blending at 250 °C. Using three different types of CNTs such as pure CNTs (pCNTs), oxidised CNTs (oCNTs) and amine functionalised CNTs (fCNTs); the effect of CNTs surface oxidation as well as functionalisation in composite membranes was investigated by focussing on three aspects: thermo‐mechanical stability, thermal degradation and proton conductivity. The oCNTs‐containing Nafion composite membrane exhibited concurrent improvement in most of the properties as compared to that of pure Nafion or other CNTs‐containing Nafion composite membranes.

Recent Progress on Nafion‐Based Nanocomposite Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications

“…Recently, Cele et al73 reported the preparation of MWCNT‐based Nafion composite membranes by melt‐blending technique. They used pure, oxidized, and amine‐functionalized MWCNTs to investigate the effect of MWCNT surface functionalization on the thermal stability, mechanical properties, and proton conductivity of Nafion composite membranes for fuel cell applications.…”

Modified silicon carbide whisker reinforced polybenzimidazole used for high temperature proton exchange membrane

“…With the increase of the mSiC content, the PADL of OPBI/mSiC/PA membranes increases, thus resulting in a further increase in the proton conductivity. The proton conductivity of OPBI/mSiC-10/PA membrane is 27.1 mS cm −1 at 170 °C without humidity, with an increase of 55.7% compared to that of OPBI/PA membrane, which is enough for HT-PEM applications [37] .…”

Carbon nanotube architectures as catalyst supports for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

“…Traditional CNT membrane electrode assemblies have involved the decoration of CNT soot with catalytic particles followed by membrane formation through drop casting or pellet pressing. Typical membranes formed include Nafion-CNT melt pressed papers, 57 CNT-Nafion ball-milled films, 58 and CNTpolymer films. 59 Unfortunately these assemblies typically have an uncontrolled structure and are not optimised for FC membranes.…”