Elucidating Water Transport Mechanisms in Nafion Thin Films
Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 2014 papers
Abstract
Ion-exchange membranes are critical components of hydrogen fuel cells, where these ionomers can be confined to nanoscale thicknesses, altering the physical properties of these films from that of bulk membranes. Therefore, it is important to develop methods capable of measuring and elucidating the transport mechanisms under thin film confinement compared to bulk Nafion. In this study, water sorption and diffusion in a Nafion thin film were measured using time-resolved in situ polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). Interfacial mass transport limitations were confirmed to be minimal, while restricted water diffusion was observed, where the effective diffusion coefficient of water in the thin Nafion film was many orders of magnitude lower (between 4 and 5 orders of magnitude) than those reported for bulk membranes and was dependent on the initial hydration state of the Nafion. Furthermore, the response of the hydrophobic domains (Teflon backbone) to the swelling of the hydrophilic domains (ionic clusters) was shown to be orders of magnitude slower than that of bulk Nafion.
Related Papers
- → Effect of loading and distributions of Nafion ionomer in the catalyst layer for PEMFCs(2008)84 cited
- A Study on Electrochemical Characteristics of MEA with Nafion Ionomer Content in Catalyst Layer for PEMFC(2010)
- → Degradation Investigation of Nafion Ionomer Network In Catalyst Layers(2011)4 cited
- 고분자 전해질 막 연료전지의 촉매층 내의 나피온 아이오노머 양에 따른 단위 셀의 전기화학적 특성 연구(2010)
- Nafion Ionomer Content in Catalyst Layer for PEMFC Nafion Ionomer Content in Catalyst Layer for PEMFC(2010)