Influence of a Fluorocarbon- and Hydrocarbon-based Hybrid Surfactant on the Preparation of ePTFE based-Reinforced Composite Membranes for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell
발표자
()
초록
내용
Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) demonstrates promising potential for green energy mobility applications. Reinforced composite membrane (RCM) is constructed by impregnation of hydrophilic perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer in hydrophobic pores of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The repulsive force between PFSA and ePTFE results in incompletely filled RCM with poor performance and durability of PEMFC. We suggest a strategy that fluorocarbon- and hydrocarbon- (CF-CH) hybrid surfactants to enhance incorporation of PFSA and ePTFE in RCMs. We confirmed the improved properties of interfacial bonding and impregnation through contact angle, cross-sectional morphology and ion conductivity. Furthermore, the introduction of a CF-CH surfactant can result in higher performance and durability of PEMFC. Therefore, the CF-CH surfactants possess novel prospective for the fabrication of advanced RCMs with superior performance and durability in PEMFC.