Performance of differently cross-linked, partially fluorinated proton exchange membranes in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2048683· OSTI ID:122732

Buechi, F N; Gupta, B; Haas, O; Scherer, G G ^[1]

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1. Paul Scherrer Inst., Villigen (Switzerland). Lab. for Energy and Process Technology

A series of differently cross-linked FEP-g-polystyrene proton exchange membranes has been synthesized by the preirradiation grafting method [FEP: poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene)]. Divinylbenzene (DVB) and/or triallyl cyanurate (TAC) were used as cross-linkers in the membranes. It was found that the physical properties of the membranes, such as water-uptake and specific resistance, are strongly influenced by the nature of the cross-linker. Generally it can be stated that DVB decreases water-uptake and increases specific resistance; on the other hand TAC increases swelling and decreases specific resistance to values as low as 5.0 {Omega} cm at 60 C. The membranes were tested in H{sub 2}/O{sub 2} fuel cells for stability and performance. It was found that thick (170 {micro}m) DVB cross-linked membranes showed stable operation for 1,400 h at temperatures up to 80 C. The highest power density in the fuel cell was found for the DVB and TAC double-cross-linked membrane; it exceeded the value of a cell with a Nafion{reg_sign} 117 membrane by more than 60%.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 122732
• Journal Information: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 142; ISSN JESOAN; ISSN 0013-4651
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
CROSS-LINKING
CYANURATES
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
MEMBRANES
PERFORMANCE
POLYSTYRENE
POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE
SOLID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS