Papers by Keyword: Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (FEMFC)

Abstract: Nafion-clay nanocomposite membrane has been prepared by dispersing unmodified and acid activated Laponite XLS in Nafion 20% dispersion. The resulting membranes possess better proton conductivity and mechanical strength as compared to the virgin membrane. Acid activation of the nanoclay leads to the in-situ generation of H₃PO₄ by the hydrolysis of the peptizer present on the surface of the nanoclay. The in-situ generated H₃PO₄ helps in improving all the technical properties of the nanocomposite including the water uptake and proton conductivity of the nanocomposite, containing acid activated clay compared to the nanocomposite, containing unmodified clay. The maximum proton conductivity of 270.2 mS/cm is achieved at 110 °C for the nanocomposite membrane containing 3% acid-activated Laponite compared to 136.2 mS/cm for the virgin Nafion. Keywords: Nafion, clay, nanocomposite, peptizer, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (FEMFC), proton conductivity, membrane