Nafion/Acid Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanocomposite Membrane for High Temperature PEMFCs

This study reports the synthesis and the characterization of proton conducting composite membranes prepared by dispersing in Nafion matrix with highly acid functionalized mesoporous silica (KIT-6). Nafion/KIT-6 composite membranes were studied for operation in hydrogen/oxygen polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) at 120 {degree sign}C with different relative humidities (72%RH and 100%RH). The Nafion/KIT-6 composite membrane demonstrated little improved fuel cell performance to that of the Nafion membrane at 100% relative humidity (RH), however, it was much higher at low RH (72%). These results suggest that this new type of Nafion composite membrane may be successfully used as an improved proton exchange membrane in high temperature PEMFC.