Performance of Hydrogen Fuel Cell MEAs Based on Perfluorinated Nanocomposite Membranes Modified by Polyaniline

Abstract

This work summarizes the results obtained from the modification of perfluorinated sulfocationic MF-4SC membranes by in situ polymerization of aniline. The transport properties of polyaniline/MF-4SC composite membranes after different times of polymerization have been analyzed. It is observed that after 3 h of aniline polymerization, composite membranes exhibit higher protonic conductivity compared to the pristine sample. The performance of fuel cells containing membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) from MF-4SC and polyaniline/MF-4SC has also been studied. The kinetic parameters governing the voltage dependence on current density have been estimated and the results have been fitted to a previously established one-dimensional isothermal model by Springer et al. [ J. Electrochem. Soc. 138 , 2334 (1991)] . Good agreement between experimental data and model has been found for low density currents. Some insights about the membrane proton conductivity mechanism are given.

Structure of perfluorinated membranes investigated by method of standard contact porosimetry

“…Polymeric hydrogels, hydrocarbonic ion exchangers with a high exchange capacity and also mineral substances like silicon oxides, aluminum oxides and zirconium phosphates [99,[113][114][115][116][117][118][119][120] can be used as such additives. Perspective method of perfluorinated membrane modifying is the polymer (polyaniline, polypyrrol, polythiophene) synthesis in the membrane matrix [120][121][122][123][124][125]. The introduction of electron conducting polymers not only expands the application areas for these membranes but also increases their selectivity and thermal stability [47,[126][127][128] that especially is important for fuel cell operating at high temperature.…”

Modification of Nafion Membranes with Polyaniline to Reduce Methanol Permeability

“…Two different routes were studied, namely: immersion modification and crossover modification. The membranes obtained by immersion modification were prepared according to the procedure suggested by Munar et al 22 , schematized in Figure 1. The aniline polymerization was carried out in two steps at room temperature.…”

“…The crossover modification procedure suggested in this work is based in the one proposed by Munar et al 22 . The aim of this procedure is to polymerize the aniline inside the membrane and not on the surface.…”

“…In earlier studies, we prepared and characterized composite Nafion® based membranes with PAni and investigated their morphology, conductivity, permselectivity and electrotransport phenomena [20][21][22] . The results of these studies pointed out those composite membranes had interesting properties as solid electrolytes for fuel cell applications for PEMFC of H 2 /O 2 .…”

Influence of conditions of polyaniline synthesis in perfluorinated membrane on electrotransport properties and surface morphology of composites

“…A lot of researches are focused on Nafion® membranes modified by polyaniline (PANI) since they exhibit unique electrical, electrochemical, and optical properties [1][2][3]. These materials are perspective for using both in electrochemistry as coating of electrodes [2,[4][5][6][7] and in fuel cells and electromembrane technology as separation diaphragms [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. The special interest represents application of such composite membranes in electrodialysis processes for concentration of acids solutions.…”