Nafion-mesoporous silica composite electrolyte: properties and direct ethanol fuel cells performance

Autor(es)

Ahmed, Z. ^[1] ; Matos, B. R. ^[2] ; de Florio, D. Z. ^[3] ; Rey, J. F. Q. ^[3] ; Santiago, E. I. ^[2] ; Fonseca, F. C. ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Natl Ctr Res & Mat Sci CNRSM, Cedria Sci & Technol Pk, Hammam Chatt 1164 - Tunisia

^[2] Inst Pesquisas Energet & Nucl, BR-05508000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed ABC, BR-09090400 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: MATERIALS FOR RENEWABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY; v. 5, n. 2 MAY 2016.
• Citações Web of Science: 2

Resumo

Nafion-mesoporous silica composites were investigated aiming at improved performance of direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFC) operating at high temperature. Mesoporous silica (MPS) was synthesized by a sol-gel technique and added as the inorganic filler into Nafion membranes by casting process. The performance of DEFC using both Nafion and Nafion-MPS composites were evaluated by polarization curves and correlated to the electrical and structural properties of the electrolytes in ethanol environment inferred by impedance spectroscopy and small angle X-ray scattering, respectively. The main results show that Nafion-MPS composite electrolytes exhibit improved performance that was related to a structural pining of the ionic clusters of ethanol-saturated Nafion by the inorganic particles, which resulted in higher proton conductivity of the composite. The experimental results evidenced the relevance of a better understanding of the properties of Nafion-based electrolytes to further develop the direct alcohol fuel cells technology. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 08/52084-5 - Pesquisas mediante SAXS/SWAXS em materiais nanoestruturados
• Beneficiário: Aldo Felix Craievich
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 13/50151-5 - Desenvolvimento de eletrólitos compósitos contendo partículas inorgânicas de alta condutividade protônica para células a combustível a etanol direto
• Beneficiário: Bruno Ribeiro de Matos
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado