Effect of solvents on the characteristics of Nafion®/PTFE composite membranes for fuel cell applications

Composite membranes were prepared by impregnation of porous PTFE membrane with 2.5% Nafion® solution prepared in various solvents. The solvents chosen were based on their solubility parameters to effectively wet the substrate for obtaining membranes with lower resistances. Earlier studies on composite membrane preparation did not take the solubility parameter of the solvent to wet the substrate into account. Membrane conductivity was dependent on the solvent type and its solubility parameter. Solvents with solubility parameter close to Nafion® backbone/PTFE showed lower charge transfer resistance and the solvents with solubility parameter close to ionic groups showed higher conductivity. The effect of other parameters like compaction pressure, humidity and incorporation of Pt particles on the membrane resistance have also been investigated.