Bio-Composite Membrane Electrolytes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Mohanapriya, S and Sahu, AK and Bhat, SD and Pitchumani, S and Sridhar, P and George, C and Chandrakumar, N and Shukla, AK (2011) Bio-Composite Membrane Electrolytes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells. In: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 158 (11). B1319-B1328.

PDF Bio-Composite.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

A new class of bio-composite polymer electrolyte membranes comprising chitosan (CS) and certain biomolecules in particular, plant hormones such as 3-indole acetic acid (IAA), 4-chlorophenoxy acetic acid (CAA) and 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) are explored to realize proton-conducting bio-composite membranes for application in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The sorption capability, proton conductivity and ion-exchange capacity of the membranes are characterized in conjunction with their thermal and mechanical behaviour. A novel approach to measure the permeability of the membranes to both water and methanol is also reported, employing NMR imaging and volume localized NMR spectroscopy, using a two compartment permeability cell. A DMFC using CS-IAA composite membrane, operating with 2M aqueous methanol and air at 70 degrees C delivers a peak power density of 25 mW/cm(2) at a load current density of 150 mA/cm(2). The study opens up the use of bio-compatible membranes in polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cells. (C) 2011 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.030111jes] All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Journal of the Electrochemical Society
Publisher:	The Electrochemical Society
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to The Electrochemical Society.
Department/Centre:	Division of Chemical Sciences > Solid State & Structural Chemistry Unit
Date Deposited:	04 Nov 2011 09:11
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2011 09:11
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/41947

Actions (login required)

View Item