PEO–PPO–PEO triblock copolymer/Nafion blend as membrane material for intermediate temperature DMFCs

This paper describes homogeneous triblock copolymer/Nafion blend membranes, which facilitate proton conduction in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) at intermediate temperatures. The interaction between the two polymer components is investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy. The blend membranes show higher proton conductivity than recast Nafion under partially anhydrous conditions. Protons can be transported with the assistance of ether chain under such conditions at elevated temperature. In addition, the membranes exhibit more favourable methanol permeability and selectivity. This kind of blend membrane shows somewhat better performance in DMFC compared to bare recast Nafion at intermediate temperature (≥120 °C). This work is a first attempt in our group to design membrane materials with enhanced proton conductivity under conditions typical of intermediate temperature DMFCs.