Methanol crossover through PtRu/Nafion composite membrane for a direct methanol fuel cell

E. H. Jung, U. H. Jung, T. H. Yang, D. H. Peak, D. H. Jung, S. H. Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study examined methanol crossover through PtRu/Nafion composite membranes for the direct methanol fuel cell. For this purpose, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.10 wt% PtRu/Nafion composite membranes were fabricated using a solution impregnation method. The composite membrane was characterized by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy and thermo-gravimetric analysis. The methanol permeability and proton conductivity of the composite membranes were measured by gas chromatography and impedance spectroscopy, respectively. In addition, the composite membrane performance was evaluated using a single cell test. The proton conductivity of the composite membrane decreased with increasing number of PtRu particles embedded in the pure Nafion membrane, while the level of methanol permeation was retarded. From the results of the single cell test, the maximum performance of the composite membrane was approximately 27% and 31% higher than that of the pure Nafion membrane at an operating temperature of 30 and 45 °C, respectively. The optimum loading of PtRu was determined to be 0.05 wt% PtRu/Nafion composite membrane.The PtRu particles embedded in the Nafion membrane act as a barrier against methanol crossover by the chemical oxidation of methanol on embedded PtRu particles and by reducing the proton conduction pathway.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)903-907
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume32
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007 May

Keywords

  • Composite membrane
  • DMFC
  • Methanol crossover
  • Nafion
  • PtRu

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Fuel Technology
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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