Electrochemical and Solid-State Letters · 2008 · 212 citations · 72 references
EngineeringMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceElectrochemistryMembrane ScienceNanomaterialsComposite MembranesMembrane EngineeringMembrane MaterialsMembrane RegenerationPolymer MembranesPolymeric MembranesDegradationMembrane DegradationMembrane Electrode AssembliesMembrane PerformanceNanocomposite MembranesNanomaterial IncorporationNanostructured MembranesPolymer Electrolyte Membranes
The efficacy of nanoparticles in mitigating free-radical-induced polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) degradation is investigated. Commercially obtained and nanoparticles synthesized in-house were incorporated within a recast Nafion membrane. Membrane electrode assemblies were prepared using Nafion and composite membranes (0.5, 1, and ). The composite membranes exhibited very similar proton conductivities and hydrogen crossover as Nafion. However, the fluoride emission rate (from accelerated tests) was lowered by more than 1 order of magnitude upon addition of into the Nafion membrane, suggesting that nanoparticles have tremendous potential to greatly enhance membrane durability.
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