Issue 30, 2021

Potential carbon nanomaterials as additives for state-of-the-art Nafion electrolyte in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells: a concise review

Abstract

Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have received great attention as a potential alternative energy device for internal combustion engines due to their high conversion efficiency compared to other fuel cells. The main hindrance for the wide commercial adoption of PEMFCs is the high cost, low proton conductivity, and high fuel permeability of the state-of-the-art Nafion membrane. Typically, to improve the Nafion membrane, a wide range of strategies have been developed, in which efforts on the incorporation of carbon nanomaterial (CN)-based fillers are highly imperative. Even though many research endeavors have been achieved in relation to CN-based fillers applicable for Nafion, still their collective summary has rarely been reported. This review aims to outline the mechanisms involved in proton conduction in proton-exchange membranes (PEMs) and the significant requirements of PEMs for PEMFCs. This review also emphasizes the improvements achieved in the proton conductivity, fuel barrier properties, and PEMFC performance of Nafion membranes by incorporating carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, and fullerene as additives.

Graphical abstract: Potential carbon nanomaterials as additives for state-of-the-art Nafion electrolyte in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells: a concise review

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
26 Jan 2021
Accepted
05 May 2021
First published
21 May 2021
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

RSC Adv., 2021,11, 18351-18370

Potential carbon nanomaterials as additives for state-of-the-art Nafion electrolyte in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells: a concise review

M. Vinothkannan, A. R. Kim and D. J. Yoo, RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 18351 DOI: 10.1039/D1RA00685A

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