Sahu, AK and Pitchumani, S and Sridhar, P and Shukla, AK (2009) Co-assembly of a Nafion-Mesoporous Zirconium Phosphate Composite Membrane for PEM Fuel Cells. In: Fuel Cells, 9 (2). pp. 139-147.
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
Synthesis of mesoporous zirconium phosphate (MZP) by co-assembly of a tri-block copolymer, namely pluronic-F127, as a structure-directing agent, and a mixture of zirconium butoxide and phosphorous trichloride as inorganic precursors is reported. MZP with a specific surface area of 84 m(2) g(-1) average pore diameter of about 17 nm and pore volume of 0.35 cm(3) g(-1) has been prepared, and characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy. Nafion-MZP composite membrane is obtained by employing MZP as a surface-functionalised solid-super-acid-proton-conducting medium as well as all inorganic filler with high affinity to absorb water and fast proton-transport across the electrolyte membrane even under low relative humidity (RH) conditions. The composite membranes have been evaluated in H-2/O-2 polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) at varying RH values between 18 and 100%; a peak power density of 355 mW cm(-2) at a load current density of 1,100 mA cm(-2) is achieved with the PEFC employing Nafion-MZP composite membrane while operating at optimum temperature (70 degrees C) under 18% RH and ambient pressure. On operating the PEFC employing Nafion-MZP membrane electrolyte with hydrogen and air feeds at ambient pressure and a RH value of 18%, a peak power density of 285 mW cm(-2) at the optimum temperature (60 degrees C) is achieved. In contrast, operating under identical conditions, a peak power density of only similar to 170 mW cm(-2) is achieved with the PEFC employing Nafion-1135 membrane electrolyte.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Fuel Cells |
| Publisher: | John Wiley and Sons Ltd |
| Additional Information: | Copyright of this article belongs to John Wiley and Sons Ltd. |
| Keywords: | Co-assembly;Composite Membrane;Mesoporous Zirconium Phosphate;PEFC;Relative Humidity. |
| Department/Centre: | Division of Chemical Sciences > Solid State & Structural Chemistry Unit |
| Date Deposited: | 28 May 2009 10:20 |
| Last Modified: | 28 May 2009 10:20 |
| URI: | http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/20428 |
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