Polyelectrolyte nanocomposite membranes using imidazole-functionalized nanosilica for fuel cell applications

6^th International Conference and Exhibition on Materials Science and Engineering

September 12-14, 2016 Atlanta, USA

Elham Jafarnia

Sharif University of Technology, Iran

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Material Sci Eng

Abstract :

The preparation and characterization of a new type of nano composite polyelectrolyte membrane (PEM), based on DuPontTM Nafion�®/imidazole modified nanosilica (Im-Si), for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications is described. Related to the interactions between the protonated imidazole groups, grafted on the surface of nanosilica, and negatively charged sulfonic acid groups of Nafion, new electrostatic interactions can be formed in the interface of Nafion and Im- Si which result in both lower methanol permeability and also higher proton conductivity. Physical characteristics of these manufactured nanocomposite membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), water uptake, methanol permeability and ion exchange capacity, as well as proton conductivity. The Nafion/Im-Si membranes showed higher proton conductivity, lower methanol permeability and, as a consequence, higher selectivity parameter in comparison to the neat Nafion or Nafion/silica membranes. The obtained results indicated that the Nafion/Im-Si membranes could be utilized as promising polyelectrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cell applications.

Biography :

Email: elhamjaafarnia2000@gmail.com