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Membrane morphology plays a great role in determining the performance of polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs), especially for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. Membrane morphology can be divided into two types, which are dense and porous structures. Membrane fabrication methods have different configurations, including dense, thin and thick, layered, sandwiched and pore-filling membranes. All these types of membranes possess the same densely packed structural morphology, which limits the transportation of protons, even at a low methanol crossover. This paper summarizes our work on the development of PEMs with various structures and architecture that can affect the membrane’s performance, in terms of microstructures and morphologies, for potential applications in DMFCs. An understanding of the transport behavior of protons and methanol within the pores’ limits could give some perspective in the delivery of new porous electrolyte membranes for DMFC applications.

The efficient synthesis of exfoliated graphene oxide nanosheets (GO) via modified Hummers’ method was successfully carried out. The physicochemical properties of GO were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis), x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The graphite was fully oxidized by strong oxidizing agent caused the oxygen-containing functional groups such as C-O-C, C=O, and COOH were introduced into the graphite layers as analyzed by Raman and FTIR.  XRD pattern of GO showed 2θ of 12.0o with interlayer spacing ~ 7.37A which describe non uniform crystal structure with the addition of oxygen containing functional groups. UV-vis spectrum of GO exhibit maximum absorption peak at ~ 234 nm corresponding to the aromatic C=C bond with π-π* transition. The morphology of GO was observed to have flake-like shape and less transparent layers by TEM. The properties of synthesized GO suggest high potential in producing the high quality of graphene which is can be applied as the electrocatalyst support for direct methanol fuel cell application.