(588c) Polybenzimidazole/Graphene Oxide Nano-Composites for Alkaline Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells Conference: AIChE Annual MeetingYear: 2015Proceeding: 2015 AIChE Annual MeetingGroup: Separations DivisionSession: Fuel Cell Membranes Time: Wednesday, November 11, 2015 - 4:06pm-4:30pm Authors: Lue, J., Chang Gung University Pai, Y. L., Yu, B. C., The objective of this study is to prepare Polybenzimidazole (PBI) composite with graphene oxide (GO) nano-sheets as a barrier layer to retard alcohol fuel permeabilities while retaining electrical conductivity. These films were doped with potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution to form hydroxide-conducting electrolytes in alkaline direct alcohol fuel cells. The alkaline fuel cell gave more than double power density than that with the H3PO4-doped PBI. The PBI/GO composite exhibited higher fuel cell performance than the PBI film by 30-60%. The peak power density of alkaline direct methanol fuel cell reached 200 mW cm−2 and that of alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell, 120 mW cm−2. These results demonstrate that the PBI/GO composite is a potential electrolyte for high-performance alkaline fuel cell applications, especially for portable energy devices.