Fabrication of nano-templated proton-exchange electrolyte membrane for fuel cell application

Sulfonated nano-template/polystyrene (AAO/PSS) composite membranes were developed by changing amount of polystyrene inside AAO for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFCs) application. The mixture of styrene monomer, divinyl benzene, and benzoyl peroxide were inserted into nano-channel of AAO and then, polymerized at 80°C cycle by cycle. In order to add sulfonic groups, membranes were treated with acetic acid, mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, and toluene solution, and then oxidized by an aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid. Ion conductivity and methanol permeability were studied for the membrane. It was found that with increasing a number of cycles, ion conductivity (0.683S/cm) was increased and methanol permeability (1.295×10 ^-6cm²/s) was decreased slightly. These results would confirm the nano-template proton exchange electrolyte membrane prepared could be applied to DMFCs.