Multiwalled carbon nanotubes incorporated quaternized polysulfone composites for alkaline membrane fuel cells

摘要

A novel quaternized polysulfone/functionalized MWCNT (QPSU/f-MWCNT) composite polymer membrane was prepared, using the solution casting method. The characteristic properties of the QPSU/MWCNT composite membranes were investigated, using the FTIR, UV-Visible spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Alkaline membrane fuel cell (AMFC) comprised QPSU/^MWCNT composite membrane, were prepared and examined. The experimental results reveal that the AMFC employing a cheap non-perfluorinated (QPSU/f-MWCNT) composite membrane which shows excellent electrochemical performances. The maximum H2/O2 fuel cell performance was achieved for QPSU/5%f-MWCNT membrane with a power density of 190 mW cm~(-2). The composite membranes were subjected to cyclic voltammetry studies for methanol oxidation. The direct methanol alkaline membrane fuel cell (DMAMFC), exhibits a maximum power density of 65 mW cm~(-2) for QPSU/5%/MWCNT membrane.