Zirconium phosphate reinforced short side chain perflurosulfonic acid membranes for medium temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell application
Date
2014
Authors
Casciola, M.
Cojocaru, P.
Donnadio, A.
Giancola, S.
Merlo, L.
Nedellec, Y.
Pica, M.
Subianto, S.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Journal of Power Sources, 2014; 262:407-413
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Composite membranes, made of an 830 equivalent weight short-side-chain perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer and containing up to 10 wt% zirconium phosphate (ZrP), are prepared by casting dispersions of ZrP nanoparticles in the ionomer solution. 30 μm thick composite membranes are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, stress–strain tests, conductivity measurements, water uptake and ion-exchange capacity determinations, as well as fuel cell tests in H2/air. In comparison with the neat ionomer, the tensile modulus (E) and the yield stress (Y) of the composite membranes increase with the ZrP content, both at room temperature (ΔE/E up to +75%, ΔY/Y up to +47%) and at 80 °C/70% relative humidity (ΔE/E up to +64%, ΔY/Y up to +103%).
Despite their lower hydration, the composite membranes are as conductive as the neat ionomer and the in-plane conductivity at 110 °C ranges from ∼0.005 S cm−1 at 25% RH to 0.14 S cm−1 at 90% RH. The fuel cell performance of a catalyst coated membrane loaded with 10 wt% ZrP is weakly affected by temperature in the range 80–110 °C. The peak power density decreases from 0.36 W cm−2, at 80 °C, to 0.28 W cm−2 at 110 °C, where the composite membrane performs better than the neat ionomer.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Data source: Figures & tables, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.04.010
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2014 Elsevier BV