Electrospinning preparation of a graphene oxide nanohybrid proton-exchange membrane for fuel cells Preprint

Shaopeng Zhang, Dan Li, Jingxin Kang, Guiping Ma, Yong Liu *

Abstract：Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) is a core component of fuel cells that provides a channel for proton migration and transport. Prevailing PEMs fabricated using well-established casting techniques have several limitations such as low proton conductivity, high fuel permeability, and poor stability. To overcome these shortcomings, this paper introduces a graphene oxide (GO)-based nanohybrid Nafion nanofiber membrane prepared using a facile electrospinning technique. On the one hand, electrospinning nanofibers provide efficient transport paths for protons, which tremendously enhance the proton conductivity. On the other hand, GO doping in PEM improves the self-humidification, stabilities (mechanical, thermal, and chemical), and proton conductivity and reduces the fuel permeability. In this research, nanofiber membranes were obtained from Nafion solutions containing 0 wt%, 0.1 wt%, and 0.2 wt% GO via electrospinning. The morphology, structure, mechanical properties, proton conductivity, water uptake, and swelling properties of the membranes were studied. The results demonstrated that the comprehensive performance of PEM was significantly improved. The new findings may promote the wide application of PEM fuel cells.

Figure 1. Schematic presentation for the fabrication mechani** of PEO and GO based hybrid Nafion nanofiber membranes

Figure 2. SEM of electrospun GO/Nafion nanofiber membranes with different nanoparticles: (a) Nafion, (b) 0.1% GO/Nafion, (c) 0.2% GO/Nafion, as well as the corresponding diameter distribution; (d) Raman spectra of GO, 0.1% GO/Nafion and 0.2% GO/Nafion