Effect of nano-size of functionalized silica on overall performance of swelling-filling modified Nafion membrane for direct methanol fuel cell application

Jing Li, Guoxiao Xu, Xingying Luo, Jie Xiong, Zhao Liu and Weiwei Cai

Applied Energy, 2018, vol. 213, issue C, 408-414

Abstract: A non-destructive swelling-filling (SF) strategy is applied for inorganic modification on Nafion by using functionalized silica (F-silica) nanoparticles as fillers. With the facilely prepared F-silica gel as SF treating agent, the mono-dispersed F-silica nanoparticles can in-situ insert into the Nafion membrane and tightly anchor on the Nafion chains through the hydrogen bonding interaction between the oxygen containing groups on F-silica fillers and –SO3H group on Nafion chains. The F-silica nanoparticles act as bi-functional fillers in the modified Nafion membrane to improve proton conductive and methanol-permeation resistive performances simultaneously. 100% enhanced proton/methanol selectivity therefore leads to a more than 30% improved direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) performance in terms of power output. By considering the great mechanical, thermal and oxidative stabilities comprehensively, the F-silica-Nafion membranes exhibit promising application potential for high-energy DMFC application.

Keywords: Direct methanol fuel cell; Proton exchange membrane; Swelling-filling Nafion modification; Non-destructive; Functionalized silica (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.01.052

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