Layer-by-Layer Assembled Proton Exchange Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells | AIChE

Layer-by-Layer Assembled Proton Exchange Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Authors 

Jensen, K. G. - Presenter, Worcester Polytechnic Institute


Layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly is a deposition method that enables the fabrication of multilayered thin films with highly tunable properties. LbL deposition was employed to assemble proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) to bolster performance compared to existing technologies. Nafion® films were coated with multiple polyanion-polycation bilayers and tested for ionic conductivity, methanol permeability, and fuel cell performance. The synthesis (sulfonation), characterization and LbL application of sulfonated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (sPPO), a proven high-performing proton conductor, is thoroughly analyzed in this work. It is shown that lower methanol permeability, as low as 1.36E-6 cm^2/s, can be achieved when Nafion is LbL-coated with polycation-sPPO bilayer systems. This research explores the use of sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s implemented in LbL nanofilms for PEMs in compact and portable methanol fuel cells operating at low temperature.