Nafion (R) and nanocellulose: A partnership for greener polymer electrolyte membranes

Abstract

This paper reports the characterization of a Nafion (R)/bacterial cellulose (BC) nanocomposite prepared by impregnation of a nanofibrillar BC membrane with Nafion (R). Such nanocomposite membrane is obtained crack-free and with thickness close to 100 mu m. Dynamic mechanical analysis reveals a storage modulus more than 1 order of magnitude higher than for pure Nafion (R), with BC effectively limiting the viscous flow of the nanocomposite up to 125 degrees C. The in-plane protonic conductivity is 0.14S cm(-1) at 94 degrees C and 98% relative humidity, which is lower than for pure Nafion (R), but in line with the lower concentration of acid groups of the composite (0.60 vs. 0.92 mmol [H+] g(-1) for Nafion (R)). The application of the Nafion (R)/BC membrane in an air/hydrogen fuel cell is demonstrated. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.