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COMPOSITE NAFION/TiO2 MEMBRANES FOR PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS
D. Ebrasu1*, G. Dorcioman2, E. Axente2, I.N. Mihailescu2, L. Patularu1, D. Schitea1, M. Varlam1, I. Stefanescu1, L.M. Constantinescu3
1National Institute for Research and Development for Cryogenics and Isotopic Technologies - ICIT Rm. Valcea, Uzinei Street no. 4, P.O. Box Raureni 7, 240050, Ramnicu Valcea, Romania
ABSTRACT
Nafion/oxide composite membranes were produced by pulsed laser ablation method using UV laser pulses generated by a COMPEXPro 205 KrF* excimer laser source λ = 248 nm and tFWHM ≈ 25 ns. We selected TiO2 material and distributed it uniformly over the surface of Nafion 112 membrane using 100 and 250 laser pulses and an incident laser fluence set at 5 J cm−2 were applied to improve the water retention property and corresponding proton conductivity under high temperature operating conditions. TGA and DSC methods were used to characterize the thermal stability of the membranes. Furthermore, UV-Vis spectroscopy experiments showed incorporation of the inorganic phase in the polymer matrix. Water uptake and proton conductivity characterizations of the Nafion composite membranes were carried out, and the results demonstrated that there was higher water uptake and an increased proton conductivity at 120 °C temperature, compared with Nafion 112 membrane.
KEYWORDS: Nafion; composite membrane; PEMFC *Corresponding author: Daniela Ebrasu, phone: 0040 250 732 744, fax: 0040 250 732 746, E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 2Lasers Department, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiations Physics, 409 Atomistilor Street, PO Box MG-54, RO-77125, Magurele, Ilfov, Romania 3Bucharest University-Faculty of Physics, Atomistilor Street no. 405, PO Box MG-11, Magurele, Ilfov, Romania |