Novel high-performance nanohybrid polyelectrolyte membranes based on bio-functionalized montmorillonite for fuel cell applications

Chem Commun (Camb). 2010 Sep 21;46(35):6500-2. doi: 10.1039/c0cc01125h. Epub 2010 Aug 9.

Abstract

This study is concerned with electrochemical investigation of novel high-performance proton exchange membranes based on bio-functionalized montmorillonite and Nafion. It was found that the incorporation of 2 wt% BMMT into Nafion polyelectrolyte matrix results in significantly improved methanol-air fuel cell efficiency of 30% compared to 14% for Nafion(R)117, and about 23-times higher membrane selectivity.

MeSH terms

  • Air
  • Bentonite / chemistry*
  • Bioelectric Energy Sources
  • Chitosan / chemistry
  • Electrolytes / chemistry*
  • Fluorocarbon Polymers / chemistry
  • Methanol / chemistry
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Protons

Substances

  • Electrolytes
  • Fluorocarbon Polymers
  • Protons
  • Bentonite
  • perfluorosulfonic acid
  • Chitosan
  • Methanol