Effects of organically modified nanoclay on the transport properties and electrochemical performance of acid-doped polybenzimidazole membranes

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2010-07, Vol.117 (2), p.1227-1233
• Main Authors: Hasani-Sadrabadi, Mohammad Mahdi, Dorri, Nassir Mokarram, Ghaffarian, Seyed Reza, Dashtimoghadam, Erfan, Sarikhani, Kaveh, Majedi, Fatemeh S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; clay; Composites; Density; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fuel cells; functionalization of polymers; ionomers; Membranes; Methyl alcohol; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Polybenzimidazoles; Polyelectrolytes; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.31974

Nanocomposite polyelectrolyte membranes based on phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) doped polybenzimidazoles (PBIs) with various loading weights of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) were prepared and characterized for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the exfoliated structure of OMMT nanolayers in the polymeric matrices. An H₃PO₄-PBI/OMMT membrane composed of 500 mol % doped acid and 3.0 wt % OMMT showed a membrane selectivity of approximately 109,761 in comparison with 40,500 for Nafion 117 and also a higher power density (186 mW/cm²) than Nafion 117 (108 mW/cm²) for a single-cell DMFC at a 5M methanol feed.