In this study, sulfonated zirconia was synthesized and incorporated into Nafion to improve its proton conductivity and water retention. Two types of nanometric superacidic sulonfated zirconia (S-ZrO2) were prepared by Sol Gel techniques. One (SZrO2 110) shows a tetragonal phase, the other (SZrO2 700) presents tetragonal and monoclinic phases. To investigate the effect of the SZrO2, preliminary Fuel Cell tests (Fig.1) were carried out at T = 70°C at different relative humidity (RH) using either Nafion-117 or composite membranes. While both cells exhibit better performances at higher RH, the Nafion/SZrO delivers the highest current values. Remarkably great improvements are observed for the composite when the comparison tests are run at low RH=50% this outlining the beneficial role of the SZrO2 additive. Water mobility and obstruction effects in the membranes were investigated with a combination of NMR variable temperature and pressure relaxation and pulsed field gradient (PFG) diffusion measurements.
Sulfated zirconia S-ZrO2 doped Nafion® membranes for fuel cell applications / A., D'Epifanio; Navarra, MARIA ASSUNTA; S., Licoccia; Scrosati, Bruno; F. C., Weise; J., Farrington; S. G., Greenbaum. - In: ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS - AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. - ISSN 0065-7727. - (2008). (Intervento presentato al convegno 236th National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society tenutosi a Philadelpia, PA - USA nel 14-21 August 2008).
Sulfated zirconia S-ZrO2 doped Nafion® membranes for fuel cell applications
NAVARRA, MARIA ASSUNTA;SCROSATI, Bruno;
2008
Abstract
In this study, sulfonated zirconia was synthesized and incorporated into Nafion to improve its proton conductivity and water retention. Two types of nanometric superacidic sulonfated zirconia (S-ZrO2) were prepared by Sol Gel techniques. One (SZrO2 110) shows a tetragonal phase, the other (SZrO2 700) presents tetragonal and monoclinic phases. To investigate the effect of the SZrO2, preliminary Fuel Cell tests (Fig.1) were carried out at T = 70°C at different relative humidity (RH) using either Nafion-117 or composite membranes. While both cells exhibit better performances at higher RH, the Nafion/SZrO delivers the highest current values. Remarkably great improvements are observed for the composite when the comparison tests are run at low RH=50% this outlining the beneficial role of the SZrO2 additive. Water mobility and obstruction effects in the membranes were investigated with a combination of NMR variable temperature and pressure relaxation and pulsed field gradient (PFG) diffusion measurements.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
