Sahu, A.K. and Selvarani, G. and Pitchumani, S. and Sridhar, P. and Shukla, A.K. and Narayanan, N. and Banerjee, A. and Chandrakumar, N.
(2008)
PVA-PSSA Membrane with Interpenetrating Networks and its
Methanol Crossover Mitigating Effect in DMFCs.
Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 155 (7).
B686-B695.
ISSN 0013-4651
Abstract
A membrane with interpenetrating networks between poly�vinyl alcohol� �PVA� and poly�styrene sulfonic acid� �PSSA� coupled
with a high proton conductivity is realized and evaluated as a proton exchange membrane electrolyte for a direct methanol fuel cell
�DMFC�. Its reduced methanol permeability and improved performance in DMFCs suggest the new blend as an alternative
membrane to Nafion membranes. The membrane has been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy,
time-modulated differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis in conjunction with its mechanical
strength. The maximum proton conductivity of 3.3 � 10−2 S/cm for the PVA–PSSA blend membrane is observed at 373 K. From
nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and volume localized spectroscopy experiments, the PVA–PSSA membrane has been found
to exhibit a promising methanol impermeability, in DMFCs. On evaluating its utility in a DMFC, it has been found that a peak
power density of 90 mW/cm2 at a load current density of 320 mA/cm2 is achieved with the PVA–PSSA membrane compared to
a peak power density of 75 mW/cm2 at a load current density of 250 mA/cm2 achievable for a DMFC employing Nafion
membrane electrolyte while operating under identical conditions; this is attributed primarily to the methanol crossover mitigating
property of the PVA–PSSA membrane.
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