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Endurance of Nafion-composite membranes in PEFCs operating at elevated temperature under low relative-humidity

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Abstract

PEFCs employing Nafion–silica (Nafion–SiO2) and Nafion-mesoporous zirconium phosphate (Nafion–MZP) composite membranes are subjected to accelerated-durability test at 100°C and 15% relative humidity (RH) at open-circuit voltage (OCV) for 50 h and performance compared with the PEFC employing pristine Nafion-1135 membrane. PEFCs with composite membranes sustain the operating voltage better with fluoride-ion-emission rate at least an order of magnitude lower than PEFC with pristine Nafion-1135 membrane. Reduced gas-crossover, fast fuel-cell-reaction kinetics and superior performance of the PEFCs with Nafion-SiO2 and Nafion-MZP composite membranes in relation to the PEFC with pristine Nafion-1135 membrane support the long-term operational usage of the former in PEFCs. An 8-cell PEFC stack employing Nafion–SiO2 composite membrane is also assembled and successfully operated at 60°C without external humidification.

PEFCs with Nafion-SiO2 and Nafion-MZP composite membranes exhibit better performance with reduced gas-crossover, faster fuel-cell-reaction kinetics, and lower fluoride-ion-emission rate in relation to the PEFCs with pristine Nafion-1135 membrane.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute-Madras Unit, CSIR Madras Complex, Taramani, Chennai, 600 113, India

    A K SAHU, A JALAJAKSHI, S PITCHUMANI, P SRIDHAR & A K SHUKLA

  2. Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, India

    A K SHUKLA

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  1. A K SAHU
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  2. A JALAJAKSHI
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  3. S PITCHUMANI
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Correspondence to A K SHUKLA.

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SAHU, A.K., JALAJAKSHI, A., PITCHUMANI, S. et al. Endurance of Nafion-composite membranes in PEFCs operating at elevated temperature under low relative-humidity. J Chem Sci 124, 529–536 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12039-011-0211-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12039-011-0211-3

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