Issue 16, 2022

Porous gC3N4–Gd2Zr2O7 enables the high-temperature operation of Nafion membranes in polymer electrolyte fuel cells over 500 hours

Abstract

Nafion, a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer, is a vital electrolyte that extensively contributes to the commercialization of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). However, adopting Nafion in high-temperature (HT) PEFCs (HT-PEFCs) is still a great challenge. Herein, we present a potential additive (carbon nitride–gadolinium zirconium oxide (gC3N4–Gd2Zr2O7)) to simultaneously extend the power density and lifetime of Nafion in HT-PEFCs. Owing to the porous nature, radical-scavenging ability, and thermal stability of gC3N4–Gd2Zr2O7, the Nafion/gC3N4–Gd2Zr2O7 membrane exhibited high water uptake, oxidative stability, and thermomechanical stability compared to the unmodified Nafion membrane. At 100 °C under 30% RH, the maximum power density of Nafion/gC3N4–Gd2Zr2O7 was 504 mW cm−2 at a load current density of 804 mA cm−2, which is 1.9 and 2.3 fold higher than that of commercial Nafion-212 and pristine Nafion membranes. Moreover, Nafion/gC3N4–Gd2Zr2O7 displays an open-circuit voltage (OCV) decay of 0.1 mV h−1 during 515 h of continuous operation, which is significantly lower than that of the Nafion membrane during the 300 h durability operation (2.8 mV h−1). When increasing the operating temperature to 125 °C under 15% RH, the Nafion/gC3N4–Gd2Zr2O7 based PEFC largely outperforms the Nafion-212 and pristine Nafion-based PEFCs, achieving an output of 380 mW cm−2, one of the most competitive HT-PEFC power densities reported for Nafion-based membranes. Post durability tests further ensure the superior stability of Nafion/gC3N4–Gd2Zr2O7 during HT-PEFC operation. The present study provides deep insight into developing and understanding of advanced Nafion composite membranes applicable for HT-PEFCs.

Graphical abstract: Porous gC3N4–Gd2Zr2O7 enables the high-temperature operation of Nafion membranes in polymer electrolyte fuel cells over 500 hours

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Jan 2022
Accepted
10 Mar 2022
First published
11 Mar 2022

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022,10, 8975-8988

Porous gC3N4–Gd2Zr2O7 enables the high-temperature operation of Nafion membranes in polymer electrolyte fuel cells over 500 hours

M. Vinothkannan, B. Son and S. Shanmugam, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022, 10, 8975 DOI: 10.1039/D2TA00483F

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