Precise Control of the Preparation of Proton Exchange Membranes via Direct Electrostatic Deposition

Abstract

In this work, we reported a novel preparation method for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) named, the direct electrostatic deposition method. In theory, any required thickness and size of PEM can be precisely controlled via this method. By direct electrostatic spraying of Nafion solution containing amino modified SiO2 nanoparticles onto a metal collector, a hybrid membrane of 30 μm thickness was fabricated. The DMFC assembled with a prepared ultrathin membrane showed a maximum power density of 124.01 mW/cm2 at 40 °C and 100% RH, which was 95.29% higher than that of Nafion. This membrane formation method provides potential benefits for the preparation of ultrathin PEMs.

Modified Cellulose Proton-Exchange Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

“…Accordingly, various fuel cells have been termed, such as low- [ 18 ], intermediate- [ 19 ], and high-temperature [ 20 ] proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) [ 21 , 22 ], alkaline fuel cells [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) [ 27 , 28 ], direct ethanol fuel cells [ 29 ], molten-carbonate fuel cells [ 30 ], direct borohydride fuel cells [ 31 ], solid-oxide fuel cells [ 32 ], unitized-regenerative fuel cells [ 33 , 34 ], and microbial fuel cells [ 35 ]. In recent years, considerable attention has been paid to DMFCs [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Because of its convenient storage, easy transference, production with sustainable biomass resources or natural gas, low cost, and high volumetric energy density, methanol is preferable in fuel cell technologies [ 27 , 28 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ].…”

Phosphonate poly(vinylbenzyl chloride)-Modified Sulfonated poly(aryl ether nitrile) for Blend Proton Exchange Membranes: Enhanced Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties

“…The quality of proton exchange membranes, which serve as the conduction medium of fuel cells, plays a vital role in determining their performance and lifetime [4][5][6][7]. Currently, perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymers are the preferred choice for proton exchange membranes due to their excellent physical and chemical stability [8][9][10]. These membranes exhibit good proton conductivity under high relative humidity (RH) because of the presence of sulfonic acid groups [11,12].…”