Hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte is a promising candidate as membrane material for a direct methanol fuel cell. It has been reported that proton conductivities of polymer electrolyte membranes are related to micro-phase-separated structures, which are consisted of hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. In this study, we investigated the effect of micro-phase-separated structure on proton conductivity and methanol cross-over. Micro-phase-structures were measured by using measured by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) in vacuum and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) in wet conditions. The membranes with micro-phase-separated structure showed higher proton conductivity and lower methanol cross-over. Conceivably, micro-phase-separated-structure had an effect on both the proton conductivity and methanol cross-over.

Effect of micro-phase-separated structure on proton conductivity and methanol cross-over for hydro-carbon polymer electrolyte membrane

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.