The influence of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) modification on the transport properties and fuel cell performance of Nafion‐117 membranes

Abstract

Nafion‐117/PEDOT composite membranes were synthesized by in situ chemical polymerization of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) using ammonium persulfate as an oxidant. The polymerization of EDOT in Nafion membranes for various EDOT/oxidant treatment sequences was studied for the first time. PEDOT introduction leads to a slight decrease in both the ion‐exchange capacity and water uptake of the composite membranes, as well as to an increase in cationic transport. Membranes initially treated with an oxidant exhibit better conductivity and lower hydrogen permeability. The effect of both modification of Nafion‐117 membranes by PEDOT and hot‐pressing of hydrogen‐oxygen membrane‐electrode assemblies (MEAs) on the performance of proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells was studied. The maximum power density of the fabricated MEAs increases 1.5‐fold: from 510 (for a pristine Nafion‐117 membrane) to 810 mW cm−2 (for a membrane modified by PEDOT). The current density at a voltage of 0.4 V reaches 1248 and 2246 mA cm−2, respectively.

Nafion/Surface Modified Ceria Hybrid Membranes for Fuel Cell Application

“…It can be assumed that a slight increase in Young’s modulus and tensile strength is determined by insignificant cross-linking of membranes upon dopant introduction, whereas its maximum strain also naturally decreases. We observed similar changes in the mechanical properties upon poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) introduction into the Nafion membranes [ 46 ]. It can be assumed that these changes, at least, will not lead to a deterioration in the mechanical stability of membranes in MEAs.…”

Multisensory Systems Based on Perfluorosulfonic Acid Membranes Modified with Polyaniline and PEDOT for Multicomponent Analysis of Sulfacetamide Pharmaceuticals

“…The characteristic peaks of benzene ring observed in MF-4SC/PANI membrane UV-Vis-spectrum are red-shifted (271 and 358 nm) because of the same reason (Figure 3a). FTIR spectra of the Nafion-117/PEDOT composite membranes are similar to that of the pristine Nafion-117 membrane (Figure 3b) due to a low PEDOT content and the overlapping of a significant number of bands of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and perfluorosulfonic acid polymer [42,55]. However, in the regions of 900, 1400-1460 and FTIR spectra of the Nafion-117/PEDOT composite membranes are similar to that of the pristine Nafion-117 membrane (Figure 3b) due to a low PEDOT content and the overlapping of a significant number of bands of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and perfluorosulfonic acid polymer [42,55].…”

“…To standardize conditions, the prepared membranes were conditioned according to the procedure described in [42,43]. The membrane samples were in the H + -form.…”

“…Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and polyaniline (PANI) are of great interest as dopants for the Nafion-type membranes. The use of Nafion/PEDOT and Nafion/PANI composites in membrane-electrode assemblies of hydrogen-air fuel cells provides an improvement in their performance by increasing proton conductivity, decreasing dehydration at low relative humidity and reducing gas permeability of composites comparing to the pristine Nafion membranes [42][43][44][45]. The proton-acceptor properties of PANI contribute to an increase in monovalent permselectivity of perfluorosulfonic acid membranes that can be used for electrodialysis water treatment [46].…”

Membrane Technologies for Decarbonization

“…The most interesting results can be achieved by introducing particles with a modified surface that changes the hydrophilicity and acidity of nanoparticles [217][218][219]. Such advantages can sometimes be achieved by the introduction of certain high-molecular materials, in particular, polyethylene dioxythiophene into ion-exchange membranes [220,221].…”