Polymer Nanocomposite Membrane for Fuel cell Applications

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposite is a new kind of material that offers to substitute traditionally filled polymers. The nanomaterial polymer matrix inter-phase area increases drastically due to the inherent high surface-to-volume ratio resulting in remarkably enhanced properties compared to the pristine polymers or their conventional counterpart filled nanocomposites. Nanocomposites have several novel properties such as nonlinear optical properties, electronic conductivity and luminescence. Therefore, their use has been projected in many areas like chemical sensors, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFCs), electroluminescent devices, batteries, electrocatalysis, smart windows and memory devices. PEMFCs embody a potential candidate for electrochemical energy generation in the twenty-first century due to their better efficiency and environmentally friendly nature. Proton exchange/Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) plays a vital role in the PEMFCs. Currently, PEM like Nafion and Flemions are widely used in PEMFC, which have certain drawbacks such as fuel cross-over through the membrane, low operating temperature, and high cost. The researchers from several laboratories across the globe have put their extreme effort into preparing a novel polymer electrolyte membrane with high proton conductivity, better long-term stability, improved thermal stability, high peak power density (PPD), and less fuel crossover with minimum cost. The advent of nanotechnology has brought a new scope to this research area. The hybrid (organic polymer with inorganic nanoparticle) nanocomposite membrane has developed into an exciting alternative to the conventional polymer membrane applications. It provides an exclusive blend of inorganic and organic properties and helps to overcome the drawbacks of align="center"pristine polymer membranes. In this book chapter, we have focused on different nanomaterials and their effect is analyzed in polymer electrolyte nanocomposite membranes for PEMFC applications.