Preparation of a Styrenesulfonate Grafted MWCNT/Nafion® Nanocomposite Membrane for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Applications

Abstract:

Styrenesulfonate grafted multi-walled carbon nanotubes (ss-MWCNTs) were prepared by a simple chemical reaction with soduim 4-styrenesulfonate to reinforce Nafion® membranes for use in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Although Nafion® membranes have excellent proton conductivity for fuel cell applications, methanol crossover through the Nafion® membrane remains a serious problem for DMFC applications. The prepared ss-MWCNTs had approximately 3.30 wt.% of sulfure and showed styrenesulfonate groups on the ss-MWCNTs. Then, the Nafion® membranes were reinforced with ss-MWCNTs to reduce methanol crossover. The styrenesulfonate groups on the ss-MWCNTs contained sulfonate end groups that enhanced miscibility of MWCNTs in the Nafion® membrance because of affinity of the same sulfonate groups in the ss-MWCNTs and the Nafion® membrane. Further, the phenyl structure of the styrenesulfonate groups on the ss-MWCNTs enhanced thermal stability at high temperature. The Nafion® membranes were reinforced with ss-MWCNTs (1 wt.%) using a solution casting with a certain amount of water and sodium 4-styrenesulfonate. Well-dispersed 1 wt.% ss-MWCNT reinforced Nafion® membranes were prepared, and the water and methanol uptake were investigated for DMFC applications. The methanol uptake value (36.84) of the 1 wt.% ss-MWCNT reinforced Nafion® membranes was reduced compared to that of the cast Nafion® membrane (38.85).

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 347-353)
• Pages: 3685-3690
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.347-353.3685
• Online since: October 2011
• Authors: Young Ho Kim, Hyun Kyu Lee, Youn Jin Park, Yoon Ji Lee, A.I. Gopalan, Kwang Pill Lee, Sang June Choi
• Keywords: Carbon Nanotube (CN), Fuel Cell (FC), Nafion Membrane

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