Three-Dimensional Sulfonated Graphene Oxide Proton Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells

Abstract

During the last decades, graphene oxide (GO)-based materials have been extensively studied as low-cost efficient solid electrolytes for fuel-cell application. However, the observed limited proton conductivity of GO in the out-of-plane directions and associated lower fuel-cell performance largely limit their practical application. Herein, we have demonstrated a sulfate ion-intercalated three-dimensional graphene oxide (3DSGO) showing an exceptionally high out-of-plane proton conductivity of 0.74 S cm–1 at room temperature and 90% RH, and an in-plane proton conductivity of 3.19 S cm–1. Additionally, measurement of cell performance using the prepared membrane as the electrolyte of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) showed an optimum power density of 112.65 mW cm–2 at 100% RH and 30 °C, which is more than double that achieved for 3DGO (50 mW cm–2). This efficient proton conduction ability and PEMFC performance of the 3DSGO is linked with the 3D interconnected ionic highways and substantial interlayer void space, which provide the higher water retention capacity in the 3D spongy architecture and a facile proton conduction pathway.

Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion Applications of Graphene Oxide: A Review

“…The measured proton conductivity and power density of a particular SGO concentration in polybenzothiazoles (sPBT-E62.5/SGO3) was 0.139 S cm −1 and 519.9 mW cm −2 at 80 °C and 100% relative humidity, which were even higher than those of Nafion 212. 299 A facile synthesis and higher fuel cell performance of 3D SGO has been performed by Rahman et al 300 Introduction of sulfate ions in 3D SGO exhibited outstanding out-of-plane proton conductivity of 0.74 S cm −1 at room temperature and 90% relative humidity with 3.19 S cm −1 in-plane proton conductivity, and when utilized for a hydrogen fuel cell, it provided 112.65 mW cm −2 at 30 °C and 100% relative humidity. 300 With all of these studies, it has been confirmed that GO-based membranes have come up as alternative membranes to reduce the electricity generation through the hydrogen fuel cell technology.…”

Enhanced OH− conductivity from 3D alkaline graphene oxide electrolytes for anion exchange membrane fuel cells

“…Moreover, the broad intercalation chemistry and facile functionalization of GO contribute to improved conducting properties. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] To fine-tune GO's chemical properties, the aqueous dispersion's pH can be controlled under ambient conditions, allowing for versatile applications. Under alkaline conditions, reversible epoxy-hydroxyl conversions occur in the epoxy groups of GO, accompanied by changes in the electronic states of the GO sheets.…”

Graphene Oxide-Intercalated Montmorillonite Layered Stack Incorporated into Poly(2,5-Benzimidazole) for Preparing Wide-Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes

“…Different strategies have been proposed to prepare wide-temperature range PEMFCs with a high conductivity and low PA leaching. − Among these, graphene oxide (GO) is an attractive organic filler for PEMs as it contains closely located hydrophilic oxygen-containing functional groups (−O–, −OH, and −COOH) and two-dimensional channels that can be used to form hydrogen bonds to conduct protons. − …”