Fabrication of self assembled mesoporous structured membranes for PEM fuel cells
Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are now increasingly being considered as alternative energy sources because of their high power density and high efficiency with low greenhouse gas emission levels. However, Nafion, which is the current material used as membrane, requires adequate hydration...
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Format: | Final Year Project |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2009
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Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10356/17166 |
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Institution: | Nanyang Technological University |
Language: | English |
Summary: | Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are now increasingly being considered as alternative
energy sources because of their high power density and high efficiency with low greenhouse
gas emission levels. However, Nafion, which is the current material used as membrane,
requires adequate hydration to maintain ionic conductivity. This means that conductivity
drops when operating temperatures are higher than 100°C or when there is low relative
humidity.
To enhance water retention properties of the membrane, mesopores were introduced into the
membrane by adding Pluronic™ F108 during the membrane fabrication process.
Experimental results show that mesoporous structured membranes were able to retain more
water than conventional Nafion 115 membrane. This resulted in better fuel cell performances.
It can be seen from the fuel cell performance test that 15ml Pluronic™ F108 mesoporous
membrane delivered a current density of 0.21Acm-2 as opposed to Nafion 115 which
delivered 0.14Acm-2. Peak power density was also higher for the mesoporous structured
membrane, at 0.078Wcm-2, against Nafion 115’s 0.055Wcm-2. Therefore, it can be concluded
that the mesopores provide a membrane with higher water retention properties than
conventional Nafion. This ultimately improved fuel cell performance. |
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