Improved fuel cell properties of Nano-TiO2 doped Poly(Vinylidene fluoride) and phosphonated Poly(Vinyl alcohol) composite blend membranes for PEM fuel cells


Yağızatlı Y., Ulaş B., Cali A., Şahin A., Ar İ.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY, vol.45, no.60, pp.35130-35138, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 45 Issue: 60
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.02.197
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Artic & Antarctic Regions, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, Environment Index, INSPEC
  • Page Numbers: pp.35130-35138
  • Keywords: Blend membrane, PEM Fuel cell, Nano-TiO2, Polyvinylidene fluoride, Phosphonated polyvinyl alcohol, PROTON-EXCHANGE MEMBRANE, POLYMER-ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANES, POLY(ARYLENE ETHER SULFONE)S, HIGH-TEMPERATURE, NANOCOMPOSITE MEMBRANES, TIO2 NANOPARTICLES, SULFONATED POLYSULFONE, CONDUCTING MEMBRANES, HYBRID MEMBRANES, PVDF MEMBRANES
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Blend composite membranes are known as a good alternative to expensive Nafion membrane since they combine the superior properties of their components in a single structure. Herein, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) phosphonated polyvinyl alcohol (PPVA) blend membranes (90/10 by mass) were prepared with the solution casting method. Then, nanoTiO(2) were added at varying mass ratios (2, 5, 8, 10, and 15%) to improve the performance of the synthesized membranes. Characterization tests namely, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), water uptake capacity, ion exchange capacity (IEC), proton conductivity, dynamic mechanic analysis, open-circuit voltage (OCV) measurements, and performance tests were conducted. PVDF/PPVA membrane containing 8% nano-TiO2 exhibited the highest performance with 382.7 mA/cm(2) of current density and 225.4 mW cm(-2) of power density. The OCV measurements showed 8.57% voltage decrement at the end of 1000 h. Obtained results show the high potential of TiO2 doped PVDF/PPVA membranes could be considered as a favorable candidate for fuel cells. (c) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.