A Versatile Nanofabrication Technology for Polymer/Inorganic Composites for Fuel Cell and Pulse Power Applications

摘要

We have successfully produced nanoscale hybrid materials with morphological, compositional and internal interfacial properties unique from any existing technology. Conformal nanocomposite films were deposited on gas diffusion media for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. These coatings ranged in composition from pure Nafion~R to silica rich and demonstrated blending at the nanoscale level. Furthermore, preliminary electrochemical measurements indicate that the ionic transport properties vary as expected for an ionomer/metal oxide nanocomposite. These composite electroctalyst layers that include the Nafion-silica material also exhibit lower polarization losses in slow sweep voltammetry experiments attributed to the prevention of methanol crossover.