Performances of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with alternate membranes

Abstract

Hydrogen/oxygen proton exchange membrane fuel cells with Nafion, Aciplex, Flemion and Shanghai membranes have been investigated. The membrane performance is closely related to the chemical composition, equivalent weight and thickness of the membranes. It is found that the mass transport limitation of fuel cells with the perfluorosulfonated ionomer membranes in the high current density range mainly originates from the limitation of proton transport from the anode to the cathode due to a long-distance diffusion. The Tafel slope of the oxygen reduction reaction for Nafion and Shanghai membranes increases with increasing membrane thickness, while the Tafel slopes for Aciplex and Flemion membranes decrease with increasing membrane thickness, which suggests that there is a difference in the oxygen reduction reaction between the two groups of fuel cells.