Correlations between Microstructures and Properties of Pd-modified Nation (R) Membranes

Abstract

The Nafion membrane was modified using chemical deposited Pd in an effort to reduce methanol crossover in DMFC. The surface morphology, crystal structure and chemical composition of the Pd-deposited membranes were characterized. The glass transition temperature (Tg), proton conductivity and methanol-inhibiting performance of the I'd deposited membranes were studied and compared with those of non-modified membranes. It was shown that Pd-modified membrane exhibited better performance in methanol inhibition and proton conductivity than the Nafion (R) 112 membrane.