Transport of water in nafionfi using time-resolved ftir-atr spectroscopy

Fuel cells offer an innovative and environmentally benign alternative to current power sources; however, increasing current fuel cell efficiencies requires new polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) with higher proton conductivities at higher temperatures, adequate water management, and reduced fuel crossover. The transport of water in Nafion (the most commonly used PEM in fuel cells) was studied using time-resolved FTIR, attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy. This technique only provides molecular-level contrast between diffusants and polymers in real time, and can measure chemical interactions between diffusants and polymers through shifts in the infrared spectra. Adsorption/desorption cycling of water in Nafion and experiments at different relative humidities were explored. Cycling is a critical concern in the actual operation of a fuel cell, where both temperature and humidity levels will vary during operation and change significantly between start up and shut down (water management). This is an abstract of a paper presented at the AIChE Annual Meeting and Fall Showcase (Cincinnati, OH 10/30/2005-11/4/2005).

Transport of water in nafionfi using time-resolved ftir-atr spectroscopy Conference Paper