Studies of perfluorinated ion exchange membranes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

Perfluorinated ion exchange membranes were studied to clarify the characteristics of membranes required for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). Thermal stability, mechanical strength, water content, AC specific resistance and gas permeability were measured. In this study a new measurement method was designed in order to measure gas permeation behavior in membranes where wet gases were used at the both sides. The measurement system used in this study renders a closer approximation to a working fuel cell. It was examined that the area resistance of Flemion ® S is about 43% of that of Nafion ® 117 and thermal stability, mechanical properties and gas permeability of Flemion ® S are almost equivalent to those of Nafion ® 117.