Recent Progresses in Membranes for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) for Clean and Environmentally Friendly Applications

Abstract

Fuel cell has become an emerging renewable energy device with potential to meet energy demand by portable and transport applications with zero-emission, easy operation, and compact design. The chapter provides an insight into design and development of membranes for PEMFCs and recent progresses made in membranes so far. Although majority of research has focused on fluorinated and non-fluorinated membranes, these polymeric membranes have showed deteriorated properties at elevated temperature (>80oC) and lower relative humidity (30%). Considering the major issues with polymeric membranes, the authors have reviewed inorganic-organic nanocomposite membranes showing improved physical and electrochemical properties at elevated temperature and lower relative humidity. Recently, metal-organic framework (MOF), a novel and unique material, has attracted tremendous attention due to their enhanced proton conductivity, easy functionality, and stability. MOFs have also exhibited excellent compatibility with different polymeric materials that are also discussed in this chapter.