Studies on sulfonated PVDF HFP SrBaWO4 nanocomposite membranes for high performance DMFC application

Abstract

newlineThe major challenge of the present decade is to generate energy without affecting the environment. In this eco-friendly age, fuel cell technology could help to find alternate sustainable energy sources. Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs) are most promising power generation competitor, because of its simple design, flexibility, low functional temperature, high energy density ease of fuelling and storage. The core component of DMFC is the poly electrolyte membrane (PEM), which allows protons and blocks electrons and fuel permeability. PEM with high ionic conductivity, low cost, high mechanical and thermal oxidative stabilities are essential for the high performance DMFCs. Among the various poly electrolyte membranes in DMFCs, poly (vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) is validated as potential candidate, because of its inertness, high dielectric constant, excellent thermal and mechanical stability and hydrophobicity. Sulfonation of PVdF-HFP provides hydrophilic moieties to improve ionic conductivity for the application of fuel cells. Thermal and mechanical stabilities of PVdF-HFP membrane dropped by sulfonation, which do not allow fabrication process of membrane electrode assembly.