Surface-modified fibrous membranes for fuel cell application

Abstract

Low permeability layers of poly(1-vinylimidazole) were polymerised and deposited onto both sides of electrospun polyethersulfone (PES) nanofibrous sheet radiofrequency plasma. The layers not only act as an efficient fuel barrier layer but also impart high and stable proton conductivity, as well as better chemical and dimensional stabilities. Typically, the composite membrane exhibited methanol permeability as low as 33.20 x 10-8 cm2 s-1 and high through-plane proton conductivity of 52.4 mS cm-1 at 95% RH, indicating membrane selectivity of 0.675 x 108 mS.s cm-3, which is approximately 33 times greater than the selectivity of N115 under similar conditions.