title: In situ synthesis of nanocomposite membranes: comprehensive improvement strategy for direct methanol fuel cells.
abstract: In situ synthesis is a powerful approach to control nanoparticle formation and consequently confers extraordinary properties upon composite membranes relative to conventional doping methods. Herein, uniform nanoparticles of cesium hydrogen salts of phosphotungstic acid (CsPW) are controllably synthesized in situ in Nafion to form CsPW–Nafion nanocomposite membranes with both improved proton conductivity and methanol-crossover suppression. A 101.3% increase of maximum power density has been achieved relative to pristine Nafion in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), indicating a potential pathway for large-scale fabrication of DMFC alternative membranes.
authors.forename: Siyuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Ruijie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xiu
authors.forename: Jiangju
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Si
authors.forename: Shanfu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiang
mesh_terms: D060326:Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D010772:Phosphotungstic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D012492:Salts / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012492:Salts; D010772:Phosphotungstic Acid; C040402:perfluorosulfonic acid; D000432:Methanol