Polymer/nano-organic composite proton exchange membranes for direct methanol fuel cell application

• Main Author: Luo, Hongze
• Other Authors: Linkov, Vladimir M.
• Language: en
• Published: University of the Western Cape 2013
• Subjects: Fuel cells; Membranes (Technology); Proton conductivity; Water uptake; Phosphorized zirconium oxide nano-particles (ZP); Degree of sulfonation (DS)
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11394/1419

DMagister Scientiae - MSc === The proton exchange membrane is one key component of direct methanol fuel cells, which has double functions of conducting protons, separating fuels and oxidant. At present, the performance and price of sulfonic acid proton exchange membrane used in direct methanol fuel cells are deeply concerned. In order to reduce membrane 's cost and improve performance of Nafion membrane, three different kinds of membranes have been studied in this thesis. These membranes are SPEEK membranes, SPEEK/ZP composite membranes and Nafion/ZP composite membranes. === South Africa