Sara G. Abd-elnaeem, Azza I. Hafez, Kamel M. El-khatib, Heba Abdallah, M. K. Fouad, E. F. Abadir
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Chitosan, a natural polymer, is gaining attention for its low cost, hydrophilicity, and environmental benefits, making it a promising material for polyelectrolyte membranes (PEMs) in fuel cells (FCs). In this study, four membranes were fabricated using sulfonated chitosan combined with three sulfonated nanoparticles: sulfonated titanium dioxide (STiO2), sulfonated silicon dioxide (SSiO2), and sulfonated carbon nanotubes (SCNT) in varying ratios. The optimal membrane was prepared using a specific ratio of these components, cross-linked with 0.5% glutaraldehyde. While the electrochemical performance improved with increasing nanoparticle ratios, excessive nanoparticle content led to diminished results. The optimal membrane demonstrated excellent stability at 50 °C, achieving a maximum power density of 90 mW/cm2 at 280 mA/cm2 and a low cell resistance of 5.1 Ω cm2. Compared to the chitosan (CS)-based membranes in the literature, the optimal membrane exhibited superior ion exchange capacity, proton conductivity, mechanical stability, and lower water uptake, highlighting its potential as a sustainable and high-performance proton exchange membrane in fuel cell applications.
期刊介绍：
Energy is the single most valuable resource for human activity and the basis for all human progress. Materials play a key role in enabling technologies that can offer promising solutions to achieve renewable and sustainable energy pathways for the future.
Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy has been established to be the world''s foremost interdisciplinary forum for publication of research on all aspects of the study of materials for the deployment of renewable and sustainable energy technologies. The journal covers experimental and theoretical aspects of materials and prototype devices for sustainable energy conversion, storage, and saving, together with materials needed for renewable fuel production. It publishes reviews, original research articles, rapid communications, and perspectives. All manuscripts are peer-reviewed for scientific quality.
Topics include:
1. MATERIALS for renewable energy storage and conversion: Batteries, Supercapacitors, Fuel cells, Hydrogen storage, and Photovoltaics and solar cells.
2. MATERIALS for renewable and sustainable fuel production: Hydrogen production and fuel generation from renewables (catalysis), Solar-driven reactions to hydrogen and fuels from renewables (photocatalysis), Biofuels, and Carbon dioxide sequestration and conversion.
3. MATERIALS for energy saving: Thermoelectrics, Novel illumination sources for efficient lighting, and Energy saving in buildings.
4. MATERIALS modeling and theoretical aspects.
5. Advanced characterization techniques of MATERIALS
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