A new journal linking all aspects of the chemical sciences relating to energy conversion and storage, alternative fuel technologies and environmental science.
Paper
Energy Environ. Sci., 2009, 2, 1210 - 1216, DOI: 10.1039/b909451b
A new mixed-matrix membrane for DMFCs
S. Mohanapriya, S. D. Bhat, A. K. Sahu, S. Pitchumani, P. Sridhar and A. K. Shukla
A new mixed-matrix membrane based on stabilized phosphotungstic acid (PTA) incorporated to chitosan (CS)-hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC) for application in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) is reported. Membranes are characterised using Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and their mechanical properties are evaluated. The PTA content in the CS-HEC blend and its influence on proton conductivity, water/methanol sorption, and methanol cross-over in the DMFC is studied. The DMFC with 3 wt. % stabilized PTA-CS-HEC mixed-matrix membrane delivers peak power-density of 58 mW/cm2 at a load current-density of 210 mA/cm2 with a lower methanol cross-over than that observed for a DMFC operating with a Nafion membrane electrolyte.
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