PEMFC performance of MEAs based on Nafion ® and sPSEBS hybrid membranes

Hybrid membranes based on Nafion®117 and sulfonated Calprene®H6120 containing partially sulfonated inorganic fillers such as silica, SBA-15 and sepiolite have been prepared and evaluated as polyelectrolytes for low temperature fuel cells. The water uptake of Nafion®hybrid membranes is 1/3 to 1/4 of that in composite membranes based on sulfonated Calprene®H6120. The proton conductivity of Nafion®117 hybrid membranes-electrode assemblies is in the most unfavorable cases nearly 1/5 of that exhibited by the pristine Nafion®membrane assembly. In general sulfonated Calprene®H6120 hybrid membranes present better proton conductivity than the Nafion®117 composites. The performance of fuel cells containing different MEAs was studied and the kinetic parameters governing the voltage dependence on current density estimated.