Incorporating graphene oxide to improve the performance of Nafion-mordenite composite membranes for a direct methanol fuel cell. (1st January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prapainainar, Paweena; Pattanapisutkun, Noppawan; Prapainainar, Chaiwat; Kongkachuichay, Paisan
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 44:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 362
• Page End: 378
• Publication Date: 2019-01-01
• Subjects: Graphene oxide -- Mordenite -- Composite membrane -- Direct methanol fuel cell; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.08.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: The proton exchange membrane is one of the critical parts of a direct methanol fuel cell. High proton conductivity and low methanol permeability are required. To enhance the performance of a direct methanol fuel cell, graphene oxide was incorporated to Nafion-mordenite composite membranes to enhance the compatibility and to decrease methanol permeability. It was found that the membrane with silane grafted on graphene oxide-treated mordenite with a graphene oxide content of 0.05% presented the highest proton conductivity (0.0560 S·cm −1, 0.0738 S·cm −1 and 0.08645 S·cm −1 at 30, 50, and 70 °C, respectively). This was about 1.6-fold of the recast Nafion and commercial Nafion 117 and was about 1.5-fold of that without graphene oxide incorporation. Finally, the operating condition was optimized using response surface methodology and the maximum power density was investigated. Power density of about 4-fold higher than that of Nafion 117 was obtained in this work at 1.84 M and 72 °C with a %Error between the model prediction and the fuel cell experiment of 0.082%. Highlights: GO-mordenite/Nafion composite membrane was fabricated. Enhancement of membrane properties were attained. Optimum operation condition of DMFC was determined using RSM. Improvement of DMFC performance obtained using GO-mordenite/Nafion membrane.