PEMFC Performance of MEAS Based on Nafion and sPSEBS Hybrid Membranes

Abstract

[EN] Hybrid membranes based on Nafion (R) 117 and sulfonated Calprene (R) H6120 containing partially sulfonated inorganic fillers such as silica, SBA-15 and sepiolite have been prepared and evaluated as polyelectrolytes for low temperature fuel cells. The water uptake of Nafion (R) hybrid membranes is 1/3 to 1/4 of that in composite membranes based on sulfonated Calprene (R) H6120. The proton conductivity of Nafion (R) 117 hybrid membranes-electrode assemblies is in the most unfavorable cases nearly 1/5 of that exhibited by the pristine Nafion (R) membrane assembly. In general sulfonated Calprene (R) H6120 hybrid membranes present better proton conductivity than the Nafion (R) 117 composites. The performance of fuel cells containing different MEAs was studied and the kinetic parameters governing the voltage dependence on current density estimated.