Nafion/PTFE composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cell applications

Using dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscope (SEM), it is shown that a high-carbon-number alcohol/water, i.e., 2-propanol/water, mixed solvent is more effective than low-carbon-number alcohol/water, i.e., ethanol/water and methanol/water, mixed solvents in dispersing Nafion molecules. Thus, it is a better solvent for the preparation of Nafion/PTFE (poly(tetrafluoroethylene)) composite membranes. The performance of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) with a Nafion/PTFE composite membrane, which was prepared in-house, a commercial Nafion-117 membrane, or a commercial Nafion-112 membrane were investigated by feeding various concentrations, i.e., 2-5 M, of methanol to the anode. The Nafion/PTFE composite membrane gave a better DMFC performance than that obtained with Nafion-117 or Nafion-112 membranes. Using a DMFC model and varying the methanol concentration at the anode, cell voltage data were analyzed with respect to methanol concentration and cell current. The results indicate that inserting porous PTFE into Nafion polymer causes a reduction not only in methanol diffusion cross-over but also in the electro-osmosis of methanol cross-over in the membrane.