A critical review on surface-pattern engineering of nafion membrane for fuel cell applications

Yuzhi Ke, Wei Yuan, Feikun Zhou, Wenwen Guo, Jinguang Li, Ziyi Zhuang, Xiaoqing Su, Biaowu Lu, Yonghao Zhao, Yong Tang, Yu Chen and Jianli Song

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2021, vol. 145, issue C

Abstract: Surface-pattern engineering, as a key strategy to fabricate high-performance Nafion membranes for fuel cells, plays an important role in surface functionalization of the membrane, optimization of the three-phase boundary, water management, proton transport, etc. Considerable efforts have been dedicated to developing advanced-patterned Nafion membranes with single-scale (nanoscale or microscale) and multiscale-patterned structures which are believed to improve the performance of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for fuel cells. In this review, the recent progress in surface-patterned Nafion membranes (SPNMs) equipped with single-scale-patterned structures (including nanostructured and microstructured Nafion membranes) is firstly highlighted. The structural features and construction methods of SPNMs are discussed in detail. The effects of single-scale SPNMs on the construction and performance of fuel cells are also analyzed. Followed is an overview of the recent advances in fabricating multiscale SPNMs based on different strategies with a specific introduction on the membrane related effects on fuel cells. Finally, the future development direction and certain perspectives on the current issues of SPNMs are presented.

Keywords: Fuel cells; Nafion membrane; Surface-pattern engineering; Imprint; Single- and multiscale structures (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.110860

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