Issue 20, 2011

Polybenzimidazole membranes modified with polyelectrolyte-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Abstract

Nafion- and polybenzimidazole (PBI)-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT–Nafion and MWCNT–PBI) have been prepared through an ozone mediated process and used as additives in the preparation of PBI/MWCNT nanocomposite membranes. Scanning electron microscopy images of the nanocomposite membranes show a high compatibility between functionalized-MWCNTs and the PBI matrix. Addition of the functionalized MWCNTs enhances the thermal and mechanical properties of the composite membranes. Moreover, compared to the proton conductivity of 0.03 S cm−1 of the phosphoric acid (PA)-doped PBI membrane, the PA-doped nanocomposite membranes containing 0.2 wt% of MWCNT–Nafion (N-0.2) and MWCNT–PBI (P-0.2) have proton conductivities of 0.05 and 0.08 S cm−1 at 160 °C under anhydrous conditions, respectively. In single cell tests at 150 °C, N-0.2 and P-0.2 demonstrated maximum power densities of 700 and 600 mW cm−2, respectively. The values are much higher than that found with pristine PBI membrane (530 mW cm−2).

Graphical abstract: Polybenzimidazole membranes modified with polyelectrolyte-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
28 Jan 2011
Accepted
22 Mar 2011
First published
15 Apr 2011

J. Mater. Chem., 2011,21, 7480-7486

Polybenzimidazole membranes modified with polyelectrolyte-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Suryani, C. Chang, Y. Liu and Y. M. Lee, J. Mater. Chem., 2011, 21, 7480 DOI: 10.1039/C1JM10439J

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