Novel polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposites containing carbon nano-tubes with Fe3O4 pendants for alkaline fuel cell applications

Chieh Fang Lo, Jung Fen Wu, Hsieh Yu Li, Wei Song Hung, Chao Ming Shih, Chien Chieh Hu, Ying Ling Liu*, Shingjiang Jessie Lue

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this work, multi-walled carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) were modified with pendant Fe3O4 nanoparticles and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer chains. These functionalized CNTs (FeCNT) were incorporated into a PVA solution and used to prepare a cast film. The use of the pendant Fe3O4 nanoparticles resulted in a loose crystal structure with low crystallinity for the PVA matrix. With an increased fractional free volume, the water solubilities and diffusivities were enhanced in the FeCNT-containing composite membranes. The methanol permeability was reduced in the PVA-FeCNT sample. The PVA and PVA-FeCNT films were doped with a potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution to prepare hydroxide-conducting solid electrolytes. The ionic conductivity of the KOH-doped PVA-FeCNT composite membrane was improved by the FeCNT addition. This improvement was ascribed to the increased polymeric amorphous region with the ionic conducting micro-channels provided by the FeCNT. These electrolytes were used in direct methanol alkaline fuel cells. An open-circuit potential and a peak power density of 0.87V and 87.8mWcm-2, respectively, were obtained using a 2M methanol fuel in 6M KOH at 60°C with the PVA-based electrolyte containing 0.15% FeCNT. This peak power density was more than double the value observed without the FeCNT incorporation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)41-49
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Membrane Science
Volume444
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 10 2013

Keywords

  • Cell performance
  • Conductivity
  • Direct methanol alkaline fuel cell (DMAFC)
  • FeO nanoparticles
  • Functionalized carbon nano-tubes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Novel polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposites containing carbon nano-tubes with Fe3O4 pendants for alkaline fuel cell applications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this