Sahu, AK. and Pitchumani, S. and Sridhar, P. and Shukla, A.K. (2009) Co-assembly of aNafion–Mesoporous ZirconiumPhosphate Composite Membrane for PEM Fuel Cells. Fuel Cells, 9 (2). pp. 139-147. ISSN 1615-6846

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Abstract

Synthesis of mesoporous zirconium phosphate (MZP) by coassembly of a tri-block copolymer, namely pluronic-F127, as a structure-directing agent, and a mixture of zirconium butoxide and phosphorous trichloride as inorganic precursors is reported. MZP with a specific surface area of 84 m2 g–1, average pore diameter of about 17 nm and pore volume of 0.35 cm3 g–1 has been prepared, and characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy. Nafion–MZP composite membrane is obtained by employing MZP as a surface-functionalised solid-super-acid-proton- conducting medium as well as an inorganic filler with high affinity to absorb water and fast proton-transport across the electrolyte membrane even under low relative humidity (RH) conditions. The composite membranes have been evaluated in H2/O2 polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) at varying RH values between 18 and 100%; a peak power density of 355 mW cm–2 at a load current density of 1,100 mA cm–2 is achieved with the PEFC employing Nafion–MZP composite membrane while operating at optimum temperature (70 °C) under 18% RH and ambient pressure. On operating the PEFC employing Nafion–MZP membrane electrolyte with hydrogen and air feeds at ambient pressure and a RH value of 18%, a peak power density of 285 mW cm–2 at the optimum temperature (60 °C) is achieved. In contrast, operating under identical conditions, a peak power density of only ∼170 mW cm–2 is achieved with the PEFC employing Nafion-1135 membrane electrolyte.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Co-assembly; Composite Membrane; Mesoporous Zirconium Phosphate; PEFC; Relative Humidity
Subjects:	Fuel Cells
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
Depositing User:	TTBD CECRI
Date Deposited:	19 Jan 2012 08:42
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2012 08:42
URI:	http://cecri.csircentral.net/id/eprint/357

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