A novel PTFE-based proton-conductive membrane

The demand for a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (SPEM) for fuel-cell systems, capable of withstanding temperatures above 130 °C, decreasing the electrode-catalyst loadings and reducing poisoning by carbon monoxide, has prompted this study. A novel, low-cost, highly conductive, nanoporous proton-conducting membrane (NP-PCM) based on a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) backbone has been developed. It comprises non-conductive nano-size ceramic powder, PTFE binder and an aqueous acid. The preparation procedures were studied and the membrane was characterized with the use of: SEM, EDS, pore-size-distribution measurements (PSD), TGA–DTA and electrochemical methods. The ionic conductivity of a membrane doped with 3 M sulfuric acid increases with the ceramic powder content and reaches 0.22 S cm−1 at 50% (v/v) silica. A non-optimized direct-methanol fuel cell (DMFC) with a 250 μm thick membrane has been assembled. It demonstrated 50 and 130 mW cm−2 at 80 and 130 °C, respectively. Future study will be directed to improving the membrane-preparation process, getting thinner membranes and using this membrane in a hydrogen-fed fuel cell.