Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have garnered immense attention as a promising alternative for future energy demands due to their high efficiency, low pollutants emission, and lightweight portable property. However, an external humidifier has to be used during PEMFC operation to maintain the water content of the cell system. Herein, a self-humidifying electrolyte membrane is developed to address this issue. Pt embedded zeolite (e.g. HY, HZSM5, and HX) was assembled on the surface of zeolite cladded perforated stainless steel mesh, then subnanoliter proton-conducting PFSA was confined within the pores of Pt-zeolite functionalized porous substrate. Such configuration improves the mechanical stability and circumvents polymer phase separation within the composite membrane. Meanwhile, zeolite not only stabilized the uniformly distributed Pt, which could provide the catalytic sites for water generation, but also contributed to high water retention in composite membranes. The novel confined PFSA/Pt-zeolite composite membrane displays promoted performance in absence of humidifier during cell operation, especially at elevated temperature.

Novel confined PFSA/Pt-zeolite composite membrane for self-humidifying PEMFC

255th National Meeting (2018)

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