Poly(ether imide) nanofibrous web composite membrane with SiO2/heteropolyacid ionomer for durable and high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells

摘要

Poly(ether imide) (PEI) membranes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are prepared by the electrospinning method. This approach produces a membrane with a high porosity and surface area that is suitable for accommodating proton-conducting materials. A composite membrane was prepared by impregnating the pores of the electrospun PEI membrane with Aquivion ionomer. Then, an inorganic proton conductor in the form of SiO2/heteropolyacid (HPA) nanoparticles was prepared by a microemulsion process and the particles added to the Aquivion ionomer. The membranes were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and single-cell performance testing for PEMFC. The durability of the composite membrane was assessed via accelerated lifetime and on/off tests.