Effects of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Thickness and Equivalent Weight (EW) on the PEM Fuel Cell Performance at Different Cell Operating Temperatures

Abdulhamed   Sghayer; Khaled   Mazuz; Naji   Issa; Adel  Diyaf

doi:10.51646/jsesd.v9i1.16

Authors

Abdulhamed. A. Sghayer Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli, Tripoli/Libya
Khaled A. Mazuz Department Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Benghazi, Benghazi /Libya.
Naji A. Issa Department Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Benghazi, Benghazi /Libya
Adel Diyaf Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli, Tripoli/Libya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51646/jsesd.v9i1.16

Keywords:

PEM fuel cells, proton exchange membrane, Nafin Ionomer, Proton conductivity, Renewable Energy

Abstract

The proton conductivity of Nafin 112, 1035, 1135, 115, and 117 membranes has been studied. Measurements were made in 1 M H2SO4 at 298 K using a four-electrode, dc technique. The membrane area resistance increases with thickness, and it was 0.065, 0.092, 0.076, 0.115, and 0.13 Ω. cm² for Nafin 112, 1035, 1135, 115, and 117 membranes respectively. Th results also showed that the proton conductivity of Nafin 112, 1035, 1135, 115, and 117 membranes was 0.09, 0.11, 0.10, 0.13, and 0.16 S.cm^-1 respectively.
In the PEM fuel cell applications, it was observed that the optimum Nafin ionomer wt.% requirement does not change with the membrane thickness and the membrane EW. In addition, the Nafin 1035 membrane can remain hydrated for longer than the Nafin 1135, or Nafin 112 membranes because it’s EW is (1000) lower than the Nafin EW of Nafin 1135 (1100), and Nafin 112 (1100). In other words, a higher performance, more stable, and longer life PEM fuel cell can be obtained by using Nafin 1035 membrane as a solid electrolyte especially for high operating temperature.

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