[1PS-218]
우수논문발표상 응모자Surface Modification of ePTFE Reinforcement via Ar/O2 Plasma Treatment for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
발표자허웅 (한국기술교육대학교)
연구책임자배진우 (한국기술교육대학교)
Abstract
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with reinforced composite membranes (RCMs) exhibit enhanced dimensional stability under humidity variations compared to conventional membranes. However, poor interfacial compatibility between hydrophobic expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and hydrophilic ionomer limits performance. This study applies Ar/O2 plasma treatment to modify ePTFE surface properties from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, enabling complete ionomer impregnation. Plasma-treated ePTFE-based RCMs demonstrated improved proton conductivity, reduced hydrogen crossover, and superior single-cell performance compared to untreated systems. These findings confirm plasma surface modification as an effective approach for optimizing RCM fabrication and enhancing overall PEMFC efficiency.