Comprehensive study of hydrogen-crossover reducing agents for polymer electrolyte membranes
Abdul Kodir, Sung‐Dae Yim, Hyejin Lee, Dongwon Shin, Byungchan Bae
Abstract
We explored the efficacy of gas-barrier additives (GBAs) in reducing gas crossover within perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes. Nine distinct GBAs were incorporated into Nafion solutions, forming composite membranes for subsequent assessment. Comparative analyses revealed no significant differences in the water sorption and mechanical properties between the GBA composite membranes and pristine Nafion membranes. However, most GBA-incorporated membranes exhibited a notable reduction in hydrogen permeability, indicating an effective decrease in gas crossover. Further validation within a membrane electrode assembly confirmed that GBAs affect the key performance metrics, including hydrogen crossover, overall fuel-cell performance, high-frequency resistance, and electrochemically active surface areas. Long-term durability assessments highlighted TiO2 as an effective additive that significantly extends the Nafion membrane's lifespan. Overall, GBA incorporation promises to mitigate gas crossover while improving the performance and durability of PFSA membranes.