Development of polymer electrolyte membrane based on poly(Vinyl Chloride)/graphene oxide modified with zirconium phosphate for fuel cell applications

The function of a membrane in the fuel cell is critical to its success. The major component of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is the proton exchange membrane (PEM) which must have proton conductivity, thermal stability, mechanical qualities, and low methanol permeability. In this study case, the film-forming and structural properties of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) impelled us to employ them for developing polyelectrolyte membranes (PEMs). To functionalize the resultant PEMs, Graphene oxide (GO) and zirconium phosphate (ZrP) were incorporated into polyvinyl chloride in different proportions. The structural and physical properties of PVC/GO-ZrP membranes were investigated by using a variety of techniques instance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), universal testing machine, and water contact angle meter. Furthermore, water uptake, Methanol uptake, and ion exchange capacity (IEC) were measured. The results demonstrated that the membranes developed have enough characteristics to be valid in DMFCs.