Nafion‐1,2,3‐Triazole Blend Membranes for High Temperature PEMFCs

Abstract

Abstract Nafion‐1,2,3‐triazole blend membranes were prepared by autoclave (AC) solution processing mixing of Nafion® solution (5% solution in 1‐ and 2‐propanol and H 2 O) and 1,2,3‐triazole. The blend membranes were very flexible, transparent, homogeneous, and stable even after boiling in water and treatment in 1 M H 2 SO 4 . FTIR and NMR results suggested that 1‐ and 2‐propanol of Nafion solution reacted with 1,2,3‐triazole under the catalytic effect of the Nafion's acid side chain. I – V performance of blend membranes was tested using a single membrane electrode assembly (MEA) cell. The cell performance of Nafion‐5 wt.% 1,2,3‐triazole blend membrane was higher than that of the Nafion 112 at cell temperatures over 100 °C indicating that it is possible to use Nafion‐1,2,3‐triazole blend membrane as an electrolyte for high temperature PEMFCs.