Tailored SPVdF-co-HFP/SGO nanocomposite proton exchange membranes for direct methanol fuel cells. (28th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Devi, Appadurai Uma; Divya, Kumar; Kaleekkal, Noel Jacob; Rana, Dipak; Nagendran, Alagumalai
• Is Part Of: Polymer. Volume 140(2018)
• Page Start: 22
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2018-03-28
• Subjects: SPVdF-co-HFP -- Sulfonated graphene oxide -- Polymer nanocomposite -- Proton exchange membrane -- Direct methanol fuel cells; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2018.02.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3861

Abstract

Abstract: Sulfonated poly (vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (SPVdF-co-HFP) based polymer nanocomposite proton exchange membranes (PEMs) were successfully fabricated in the presence of sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO) as nano-filler for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. Sulfonation of GO was carried out using sulfanilic acid and the incorporation of -SO3 H groups were confirmed by FTIR, HR-TEM and Raman spectroscopy. The physicochemical properties of the fabricated membranes such as ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake (WU), swelling ratio (SR), oxidative, thermal and mechanical stability, proton conductivity, methanol permeability and membrane selectivity were determined. Among the various nanocomposite PEMs were prepared, SPVdF-co-HFP/SGO-7 exhibited good tensile strength (29.7 MPa), improved Young's modulus (432.5 MPa), high proton conductivity (5.52 × 10 −3 S/cm, at 30 °C), superior selectivity (2.99 × 10 4 Scm −3 s) and reduced methanol cross-over (1.846 × 10 −7 cm 2 s −1 ) and this nanocomposite membrane can possibly be a superior and alternate candidate to Nafion membrane in DMFCs. Graphical abstract: Highlights: SPVdF-co-HFP/SGO nanocomposite PEMs were fabricated successfully and characterized for use in DMFCs. SPVdF-co-HFP/SGO-7 composite membrane exhibited the highest selectivity, proton conductivityand reduced methanol cross-over. SPVdF-co-HFP/SGO composite membranes found to be an efficient alternative to expensive Nafion in DMFCs.