Polybenzimidazole/ BaCe0.85Y0.15O3-δ nanocomposites with enhanced proton conductivity for high temperature PEMFC application

The present work reports the synthesis of polybenzimidazole ﴾PBI) / BaCe0.85Y0.15O3-δ nanocomposite membrane. The obtained membranes were investigated to use as novel electrolytes in high temperature proton exchange fuel cells. The PBCYx membranes were prepared with dispersing BaCe0.85Y0.15O3-δ into the polyimidazole membrane by solution casting method. The obtained membranes were used as novel proton conductors. The thermal stability and structural properties were investigated. The conductivity and morphology of the obtained materials were studied using impedance spectroscopy AC ﴾IS) and scanning electron microscope ﴾SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy ﴾EDX). The maximum phosphoric acid adsorption ﴾175%) and protonic conductivity ﴾ 0.092 S/cm at 180 ̊C in dry condition) were observed for all of the PBI nanocomposite membranes containing 5 wt.% of BaCe0.85Y0.15O3-δ in the membrane matrix. The polarization and power density curves were studied at 150 and 180 ̊C operation temperature. The power density of about 0.42 W/cm2 and current density of about 0.84 A/cm at 0.5 V and 180 ̊C were achieved in dry condition. The data obtained from our studies showed that the physicochemical properties of the novel nanocomposites were enhanced for using in the high temperature proton transfer fuel cells.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author