Effect of Addition of Titanium Dioxide on the Proton Conductivity of Polystyrene Membrane for Fuel Cell Applications | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

Proton conducting polymer electrolyte membrane is the most important component of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The positive effect of addition of oxo-clusters of Ti, Zr, W and hydrophilic additives like SiO2, TiO2 and ZrO2 on the proton conductivity characteristics of Nafion membranes have been reported earlier. Here we report the effect of additive titanium dioxide on the proton conductivity of polystyrene membrane in aqueous solution. The enhancement of proton conductivity was observed to be increase for titanium dioxide (by factors of 4.63). This showed that the proton conductivity was increased on addition of titanium dioxide in polystyrene membrane. The proton conductivities were calculated from the pH values measured at room temperature using an electrochemical cell and pH meter, on the basis of a proton transport model for porous membranes in aqueous solution. The membranes were characterized by FTIR, SEM and the observed results are explained in terms of the hydrophobicity of the additive.