High performance DMFC systems using proton conductive hydrocarbon membrane

摘要

Passive DMFC systems having different structures including various active areas were fabricated. Hydrocarbonated ionomer, sulfonated polyimide(SPI)-silica nanocomposite membrane, and perfluorinated ionomer, Nafion 117 ? , were used as proton conductive membrane. Passive DMFC showed poorer electrochemical performance than active DMFC because it could not be operated under heating condition and no feeding system made concentration polarization very high. Comparing with Nafion 117, SPI-silica nanocomposite membrane showed high passive cell performance, because of its high proton conductivity and low MeOH permeability. As cell design and preparation condition of passive DMFC system had a significant effect on electrochemical performance, they should be optimized for best performance.