Methanol crossover reduction and power enhancement of methanol fuel cells with polyvinyl alcohol coated Nafion membranes

Rao, Arjun Sunil; Rashmi, K.R.; Manjunatha, D.V.; Jayarama, A.; Shastrimath, V. Veena Devi; Pinto, R.

doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2020.02.093

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…However, Nafion ® is extremely expensive due to the complex manufacturing processes, as well as being difficult to recycle. An additional drawback, relevant to direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) and flow batteries, is the high permeation rates of methanol [ 7 ] or other active species [ 8 ], resulting in crossover issues and fuel loss. As such, more sustainable, lower cost, and low permeability alternatives to Nafion ® could be highly beneficial.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cellulose Nanocrystals Crosslinked with Sulfosuccinic Acid as Sustainable Proton Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Energy Applications

Selyanchyn

Bayer²,

Klotz

et al. 2022

Membranes

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Nanocellulose is a sustainable material which holds promise for many energy-related applications. Here, nanocrystalline cellulose is used to prepare proton exchange membranes (PEMs). Normally, this nanomaterial is highly dispersible in water, preventing its use as an ionomer in many electrochemical applications. To solve this, we utilized a sulfonic acid crosslinker to simultaneously improve the mechanical robustness, water-stability, and proton conductivity (by introducing -SO3−H+ functional groups). The optimization of the proportion of crosslinker used and the crosslinking reaction time resulted in enhanced proton conductivity up to 15 mS/cm (in the fully hydrated state, at 120 °C). Considering the many advantages, we believe that nanocellulose can act as a sustainable and low-cost alternative to conventional, ecologically problematic, perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers for applications in, e. fuel cells and electrolyzers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cellulose Nanocrystals Crosslinked with Sulfosuccinic Acid as Sustainable Proton Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Energy Applications

Selyanchyn

Bayer²,

Klotz

et al. 2022

Membranes

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“…However, significant reduction in proton conductivity was also observed when PVA content within the membrane was more than 20%. Recently Rao et al studied the effect of PVA coating on Nafion membranes 94 . A typical scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph of PVA/Nafion composite membrane and the effect of PVA coating thickness on methanol permeability of these membranes have been presented in Figure 3A,B respectively.…”

Section: Pva‐based Membranes For Fuel Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reproduced from Ref. 94, (B) effect of PVA coating thickness on methanol permeability of composite Nafion membranes. Reproduced from Ref.…”

Section: Pva‐based Membranes For Fuel Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based membranes for fuel cell and water treatment applications: A review on recent advancements

Choudhury

Gohil

Dutta

2021

Polymers for Advanced Techs

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Clean water and energy are two of the most important requirements for human survival. Membrane‐based filtration represents one of the advanced technologies involved in water decontamination; while, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are among the frontrunners in the alternative and renewable energy domain. It is evident that membrane‐based processes provide sustainable solution to the ever‐increasing demand of energy and clean water. Over the years, it has been realized that synthetic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is one of the potential candidates for the development of membranes, owing to its hydrophilicity, barrier property, film forming ability, crosslinking ability, biodegradability, and low cost. These properties have been widely explored for the fabrication of polymer electrolyte membranes for PEMFCs, in order to improve the ionic conductivity and methanol barrier property, as well as, to reduce the membrane fabrication cost. On the other hand, high water solubility and film forming characteristics of PVA have been used for the formation of water treatment membranes, for enhancing the antifouling property and chemical stability. This review provides in‐depth discussions and analyses on the structure and properties of various PVA‐based copolymers, and their applications as membrane materials for PEMFCs (including direct methanol and alkaline fuel cells) and water remediation.

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“…2 Thus, a new route and some modification was designed to replace the current dependency on parent Nafion membranes. For instance, Rao et al 6 has conducted some study regarding the coating effect of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on Nafion membranes for passive DMFC. From their study, they found that at optimum thickness of 2 μm of PVA, the obtained methanol permeability was 50% lower than pristine Nafion and the result was extremely outstanding in term of power density for PVA coated Nafion membranes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Porous polyether sulfone for direct methanol fuel cell applications: Structural analysis

et al. 2020

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Summary Porous poly ether sulfone (PES) membranes were prepared using two different solvents which were N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and dimethylacetamide (DMAc) via dry/wet non‐solvent phase inversion (NIPS) techniques. PES with the compositions of 18 wt% is prepared for each dope solution. During the membrane casting process, 0 to 5 minutes delay prior to immersion in coagulant bath is set in order to allow solvent evaporation to take place. Water is used as the non‐solvent for solvent exchange process. The prepared membranes are characterised based on their morphological aspect using scanning electron microscopy towards the effect of solvent evaporation time and solution viscosity. The changes in proton conductivity, methanol permeability, water uptake and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity behaviours are also studied. Conclusively, the 18 wt% PES membranes prepared with DMAc as solvent at 3 minutes solvent evaporation time exhibited desirable pore size for proton conduction (0.04 × 10−3 Scm−1) and methanol resistant effect that consequently contribute to considerably low methanol permeability rate at 0.06 × 10−7 cm2 s−1 which could elevate the direct methanol fuel cell performance.

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Methanol crossover reduction and power enhancement of methanol fuel cells with polyvinyl alcohol coated Nafion membranes

Cited by 13 publications

References 68 publications

Cellulose Nanocrystals Crosslinked with Sulfosuccinic Acid as Sustainable Proton Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Energy Applications

Cellulose Nanocrystals Crosslinked with Sulfosuccinic Acid as Sustainable Proton Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Energy Applications

Poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based membranes for fuel cell and water treatment applications: A review on recent advancements

Porous polyether sulfone for direct methanol fuel cell applications: Structural analysis

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