Nafion-1,2,3-Triazole Blend Membranes for High Temperature PEMFCs

Nafion‐1,2,3‐triazole blend membranes were prepared by autoclave (AC) solution processing mixing of Nafion® solution (5% solution in 1‐ and 2‐propanol and H2O) and 1,2,3‐triazole. The blend membranes were very flexible, transparent, homogeneous, and stable even after boiling in water and treatment in 1 M H2SO4. FTIR and NMR results suggested that 1‐ and 2‐propanol of Nafion solution reacted with 1,2,3‐triazole under the catalytic effect of the Nafion's acid side chain. I–V performance of blend membranes was tested using a single membrane electrode assembly (MEA) cell. The cell performance of Nafion‐5 wt.% 1,2,3‐triazole blend membrane was higher than that of the Nafion 112 at cell temperatures over 100 °C indicating that it is possible to use Nafion‐1,2,3‐triazole blend membrane as an electrolyte for high temperature PEMFCs.