Abstract (EN):
Liquid feed direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs)
employing proton-exchange membranes (PEMs)
are promising candidates for portable power
applications [1]. However, the use of perfluorinated
membranes as polymer electrolyte leads
to a significant decrease in the fuel cell Faraday
efficiency due to methanol crossover [1]. Nonfluorinated
membranes based on sulfonated
poly(ether ether ketone) (sPEEK) have been
presented as promising materials due to their
high proton conductivity [2]. Also, in order to
improve the membrane properties for DMFC
applications, the single-phase sPEEK polymer
was modified by the incorporation of zirconium
oxide (ZrO2), which decreases the methanol
permeation [3]. Furthermore, the membrane properties
are also influenced by proper sample
pre-treatment. The present study aims to characterize
sPEEK membranes and to perform a critical
study regarding the pre-treatment effects on
the membrane properties. Nafion® 1135 (from
Aldrich) was used as reference material.
Language:
English
Type (Professor's evaluation):
Scientific