Development of Nafion/Tin Oxide Composite MEA for DMFC applications

Fang Chen (1) , Barbara Mecheri (1) , Alessandra d'Epifanio (2) , Enrico Traversa (1, 3) , Silvia Licoccia (1)

1 Department of Chemical Science and Technology
2 Chemical Science and Technology
3 NIMS - National Institute for Materials Science

Nafion composite membranes containing either hydrated tin oxide (SnO₂•nH₂O) or sulfated tin oxide (S-SnO₂) at 5 wt.% and 10 wt.% were prepared and characterized. The structural and electrochemical features of the samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, methanol crossover, and direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) tests. Highest conductivity values were obtained by using S-SnO₂ as filler (0.094 Scm^-1 at T=110°C and RH=100%). The presence of the inorganic compound resulted in lower methanol crossover and improved DMFC performance with respect to a reference unfilled membrane. To improve the interface of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a layer of the composite electrolyte (i.e., the Nafion membrane containing 5 wt% S-SnO₂) was brushed on the electrodes, obtaining a DMFC operating at 110°C with a power density (PD) of 100 mWcm^-2 which corresponds to a PD improvement of 52% with respect to the unfilled Nafion membrane.

Mots clés: Physical Sciences

Fang Chen, Barbara Mecheri, Alessandra d'Epifanio, Enrico Traversa, Silvia Licoccia. Development of Nafion/Tin Oxide Composite MEA for DMFC applications. Fuel Cells, 2010, 10 (5), pp.790. ⟨10.1002/fuce.200900179⟩. ⟨hal-00578451⟩