424859 Polybenzimidazole/Graphene Oxide Nano-Composites for Alkaline Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells

Wednesday, November 11, 2015: 4:06 PM
155C (Salt Palace Convention Center)
Jessie Lue, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Kwei-shan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Yu-Li Pai, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chanu Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan and Bor-Chern Yu, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

The objective of this study is to prepare Polybenzimidazole (PBI) composite with graphene oxide (GO) nano-sheets as a barrier layer to retard alcohol fuel permeabilities while retaining electrical conductivity. These films were doped with potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution to form hydroxide-conducting electrolytes in alkaline direct alcohol fuel cells. The alkaline fuel cell gave more than double power density than that with the H3PO4-doped PBI. The PBI/GO composite exhibited higher fuel cell performance than the PBI film by 30-60%. The peak power density of alkaline direct methanol fuel cell reached 200 mW cm−2 and that of alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell, 120 mW cm−2. These results demonstrate that the PBI/GO composite is a potential electrolyte for high-performance alkaline fuel cell applications, especially for portable energy devices.

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See more of this Session: Fuel Cell Membranes
See more of this Group/Topical: Separations Division