Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 20 No 3
(2016): 670 - 677
DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/mjas-2016-2003-28
THERMAL PROPERTIES AND
CONDUCTIVITY OF NAFION-ZIRCONIA COMPOSITE MEMBRANE
(Sifat Terma dan
Konduktiviti Membran Komposit Nafion-Zirkonia)
Siti Rahmah Mokhtaruddin1, 2,
Abu Bakar Mohamad1, 2*, Kee Shyuan Loh1, Abdul Amir Hasan
Kadhum1, 2
1Fuel Cell
Institute
2Department of
Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty
of Engineering and Built Environment
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600
UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
*Corresponding author: drab@ukm.edu.my
Received: 5
February 2016; Accepted: 22 April 2016
Abstract
The application of composite membranes for high
temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell has attracted interests. Nafion-metal dioxide composite membranes are
considered among the research niche. In
this study, Nafion membranes and Nafion-zirconia composite membranes with 1, 3
and 5 wt. % of hydrous zirconia were prepared accordingly. All membranes were
characterized by quantitative analysis techniques such as thermogravimetry
analyse, diffraction scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared. All
composite membranes showed high glass transition temperatures and improved
water retention properties, compared to the Nafion membrane. The composite membrane
with 3 wt. % of zirconia showed the highest thermal resistance at 90°C.
Keywords: high
temperature PEM, glass transition temperature, conductivity, composite membrane,
Nafion-zirconia
Abstrak
Penggunaan
membran komposit dalam operasi sel bahanapi membran penukar proton pada suhu
tinggi semakin mendapat perhatian pengkaji. Membran komposit Nafion-logam
dioksida adalah antara bidang kajian dalam kumpulan ini. Bagi kajian ini,
membran Nafion dan membran komposit Nafion-zirkonia dengan 1, 3, dan 5 wt. %
telah disediakan. Kesemua membran dicirikan menggunakan teknik analisis
kuantitatif seperti analisis termogravimetri, kalorimetri imbasan kerbedaan dan
Fourier inframerah. Kesemua membran komposit mempunyai suhu peralihan kaca yang
tinggi dan keupayaan penahanan air yang lebih baik berbanding membran Nafion.
Membran komposit dengan 3 wt. % zirkonia menunjukkan ketahanan suhu tinggi pada
suhu operasi 90°C.
Kata kunci: PEM suhu tinggi, suhu peralihan kaca,
konduktiviti, membran komposit, Nafion-zirkonia
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