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 polyvinyl alcohol PVA and polystyrene 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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