Characteristics of the Nafion ionomer-impregnated composite membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Composite polymer electrolyte membranes were prepared by impregnating Nafion solution into the porous expanded PTFE (ePTFE) films as a substrate and their single cell performance, gas permeability, water flux, and water uptake were investigated. Although the nitrogen permeability of the composite membrane was higher than that of Nafion 112, there was not the serious cross-over of gases to diminish cell performance and it was seen that the cell performance could be improved by reduced thickness of the composite membrane. It was also seen that water uptake and water flux of the composite membrane were dependent on the Nafion loading amount on the substrate and, therefore, the thickness of the membrane. The water uptake as well as the water flux of the composite membrane increased as the Nafion loading amount increased and the increase rate of water uptake with temperature for the composite membranes was found to be larger than Nafion 112. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.