Correlation between proton conductivity, thermal stability and structural symmetries in novel HPW-meso-silica nanocomposite membranes and their performance in direct methanol fuel cells

J Zeng; P K Shen; S Lu; Y Xiang; L Li; Roland De Marco; San Ping Jiang

doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2012.01.018

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Correlation between proton conductivity, thermal stability and structural symmetries in novel HPW-meso-silica nanocomposite membranes and their performance in direct methanol fuel cells

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Correlation between proton conductivity, thermal stability and structural symmetries in novel HPW-meso-silica nanocomposite membranes and their performance in direct methanol fuel cells

J Zeng, P K Shen, S Lu, Y Xiang, L Li, Roland De Marco and San Ping Jiang

Journal of Membrane Science, Vol.397-398, pp.92-101

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2012.01.018

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Abstract

direct methanol fuel cells

mesoporous silica

structural symmetries

heteropolyacid

high temperature proton exchange membranes

The intrinsic relationship between proton conductivity, thermal stability and structural symmetries of phosphotungstic acid (HPW)-functionalized mesoporous silica (HPW-meso-silica) membrane was investigated with mesoporous silica from 2D hexagonal p6 mm, 3D face-centered cubic (), body-centered , to cubic bicontinuous symmetries. HPW-meso-silica nanocomposites with 3D mesostructures display a significantly higher proton conductivity and higher stability as a function of relative humidity in comparison to 2D mesostructures. The best result was obtained with body-centered cubic ()-HPW-meso-silica, showing proton conductivities of 0.061 S cm-1 at 25 oC and 0.14 S cm-1 at 150 oC under 100% RH, respectively, and an activation energy of 10.0 kJ mol-1. At 150 °C, the cell employing a HPW-meso-silica membrane produced a maximum power output of 237 mW cm-2 in a methanol fuel without external humidification. The high proton conductivity and excellent performance of the new methanol fuel cells demonstrate the promise of HPW-meso-silica nanocomposites with 3D mesostructures as a new class of inorganic proton exchange membranes for use in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs).

Details

Title: Correlation between proton conductivity, thermal stability and structural symmetries in novel HPW-meso-silica nanocomposite membranes and their performance in direct methanol fuel cells
Authors: J Zeng (Author) - Curtin University
P K Shen (Author) - Sun Yat-Sen University, China
S Lu (Author) - Beihang University, China
Y Xiang (Author) - Beihang University, China
L Li (Author) - Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Roland De Marco (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
San Ping Jiang (Author) - Curtin University
Publication details: Journal of Membrane Science, Vol.397-398, pp.92-101
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2012.01.018
ISSN: 0376-7388
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449982902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Engineering, Chemical; Polymer Science