writer：F. C h e n ,B.Mecheri ,A.D’Epifanio , E. Traversa and S. Licoccia *
keywords：Direct Methanol Fuel Cells, Methanol Crossover, Nafion, Performance Improvement, Proton Exchange Membrane
source：期刊
specific source：Fuel Cells, 2010,10(5)，pp790-797
Issue time：2010年
Nafion composite membranes containing
either hydrated tin oxide (SnO2·nH2O) or sulphated tin oxide (S–SnO2)at 5 and 10 wt.-% were prepared
and characterised. The structural and electrochemical features of the samples
were investigated using X-ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance
spectroscopy, methanol crossover and direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) tests.
Highest conductivity values were obtained by using S–SnO2 as filler (0.094 S cm–1 at T=110 °C and RH = 100%). The presence of the inorganic compound
resulted in lower methanol crossover and improved DMFC performance with respect
to a reference unfilled membrane. To improve the interface of the membrane
electrode assembly (MEA), a layer of the composite electrolyte (i.e. the Nafion
membrane containing 5 wt.-% S–SnO2) was brushed on the electrodes, obtaining a
DMFC operating at110 °Cwith a
power density (PD) of100 mW cm–2 which corresponds to a PD improvement of 52% with respect to the
unfilled Nafion membrane.