Self-crosslinked organic-inorganic nanocomposite membranes with good methanol barrier for direct methanol fuel cell applications

• Published in: Solid state ionics Vol. 315; pp. 71 - 76
• Main Authors: Wang, Minghui, Liu, Ge, Cui, Xuejun, Feng, Yuxiang, Zhang, Huan, Wang, Gaoxu, Zhong, Shuangling, Luo, Yunqing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.02.2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Core-shell structure; Crosslinking; Direct methanol fuel cell; Fourier transforms; Fuel cells; Heat exchange; Infrared spectra; Latex; Membranes; Methanol; Methanol barrier; Nanocomposite; Nanocomposites; Selectivity; Silica; Silicon dioxide; Stability analysis; Studies; Sulfonic acid; Thermal stability; Thermogravimetric analysis; Weight loss measurement; Crosslinking; Nanocomposite; Selectivity; Direct methanol fuel cell; Methanol barrier
• ISSN: 0167-2738; 1872-7689
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssi.2017.12.001

The organic-inorganic latex particles with sulfonic acid groups and core-shell structure are successfully obtained and then are heated to fabricate the self-crosslinked organic-inorganic nanocomposite membranes. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirm the chemical structure of membranes. The effects of inorganic component on the performances of nanocomposite membranes are investigated extensively. TGA analyses show that the membrane materials possess excellent thermal stability and 5% weight loss temperature increase with increasing SiO2 content. Solvent absorption measurement suggests the membranes are less permeable to methanol than water. The obtained membranes show conductivity values above 10−2Scm−1. More importantly, all the membrane materials exhibit more excellent methanol barrier and higher selectivity compared with Nafion® 117, demonstrating that those membranes could be a potential candidate as proton exchange membranes for future direct methanol fuel cells. •Crosslinked nanocomposite membranes with various SiO2 content are prepared.•This work provides an effective, simple and environmentally friendly route for preparing PEMs.•The membranes possess good thermal stability, excellent methanol barrier and high selectivity.•The membranes with low cost and good property show potential application as PEMs in DMFCs.