Measuring moisture sorption and diffusion kinetics on proton exchange membranes using a gravimetric vapor sorption apparatus

The understanding of water sorption and diffusion properties of proton exchange membranes is crucial to the fuel cell's ultimate performance. In this study, a dynamic gravimetric vapor sorption (DVS) instrument was used to measure the water vapor sorption properties of three Nafion® based fuel cell membranes: N-117 (extruded film, 183 μm thick); N-112 (extruded film, 51 μm thick); and NR-112 (dispersion cast film, 51 μm thick). Water sorption characteristics were studied between 0 and 95% relative humidity (RH) at 30, 40, 50, 70, and 80 °C. The thicker dispersion cast, N-117, film had a lower water vapor sorption capacity (based on percentage weight gain) than the thinner, N-112 sample. The dispersion cast, NR-112, film had a lower percentage water uptake than the extruded, N-112, film. Below 80% RH, the water sorption capacity increases with temperature for all three samples. Above 80% RH, the moisture sorption capacity increases from 30 to 50 °C, but decreases at 70 and 80 °C compared to the lower temperature data. Moisture diffusion coefficients were also calculated over the humidity and temperature range studied. In general, maximum diffusion coefficients were measured at intermediate humidities. Water heat of sorption calculations at low coverages yielded higher values for the extruded (N-112) film compared to the dispersion cast (NR-112) film indicating a higher affinity for water.