Abstract:
“Low temperature PEM Fuel cells have limitations such as CO catalyst poisoning. effect, Water and heat management, etc. These can be reduced by using high temperature PEM fuel cell (>90˚C). Therefore, it is need of hour that high temperature PEMFC must be focused. Inorganic-Organic Nano composite hybrid materials are among the top contenders to be utilized as membranes for high temperature PEMFCs. Vigorous research is continuing using different organic polymers like PEEK, PBI, Nafion along with different nanoparticles like silica and carbon nanotubes, etc. In this thesis, we have investigated the effect of Titania and Nb2O5 nanoparticles on polystyrene-based electrolyte membrane’s porosity and thermal stability. We synthesized Titania nanoparticles using TTIP precursor. For hybrid membrane, we have used polystyrene and Poly (styrene-co-maleic anhydride), as polymers and Titanium dioxide and Niobium Pentoxides Nano particles as inorganic filler material. Wet chemistry route is used for Nano particle and hybrid membrane preparation. Synthesized membranes were characterized by using X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that both Titania and Nb2O5 based impregnated Polystyrene/PS-co-ma blend membranes generated pores of 2-3.5μm and increased thermal stability by 70oC, shows competence for its future utilization as membrane for HT-PEMFCs. SO3H functionalization has negative impact on composite membrane thermal stability however, it has increased carrier mobility many folds as was measured by the Hall effect technique.”
