Transport properties of proton- and hydroxide-exchange membranes for fuel cells

The electro-osmotic drag coefficients (ξ) of water-vapor equilibrated Nafion® 117, a proton conductor, and Tokuyama® A201, a hydroxide conductor were determined from the steady-state voltage of a water concentration cell. The ξ values are reported, along with water uptake, ion-exchange capacity, ionic conductivity, and methanol permeability of these membranes. The room-temperature ξ of Nafion® 117 and Tokuyama® A201 is 0.99 (±0.07) and 0.61 (±0.12), respectively, and is relatively independent of water content over the relative humidity range of 14-96%. The time to steady potential in the water concentration cell was longer for the Tokuyama® A201 membrane than the Nafion® 117 membrane, which is tentatively attributed to the lower mobility of hydrated hydroxide (or carbonate from absorption of adventitious carbon dioxide) in comparison to hydronium ion.