Dynamical characterization of a new multicomponent membrane (gCN/PTI mixed with Nafion) for energy applications.

Proton exchange membranes are essential components of devices where is required to transport H+ while blocking the flow of other ions and molecules used as reactants. The most common ionomeric material is Nafion, which has excellent H+ conductivity, despite having poor selectivity against other ions and small molecules. It is been found that introducing ~1% gCN (graphitic carbon nitrides) into Nafion/SPEEK membranes enhances H+ conduction. We propose to use neutron scattering to investigate the effects of gCN materials co-deposited with Nafion on the H+/H2O transport properties that will be correlate with membrane structure that will be correlate. Our studies will provide a first direct evaluation of the effects of GO and gCN/PTI 2D nanomaterials incorporated in ionomer membrane structures for fuel cell and other energy conversion/storage applications.

质子交换膜（Proton Exchange Membranes）是用于传输氢离子（H+）同时阻隔作为反应物的其他离子与分子的各类器件的核心组成部分。当前最常用的离聚体材料为纳菲昂（Nafion），其虽具备优异的氢离子传导性能，但对其他离子及小分子的选择性欠佳。已有研究证实，向纳菲昂/磺化聚醚醚酮（Nafion/SPEEK）膜中掺入约1%的石墨相氮化碳（graphitic carbon nitrides，gCN），可有效提升其氢离子传导性能。本研究拟采用中子散射（neutron scattering）技术，探究与纳菲昂共沉积的石墨相氮化碳材料对氢离子/水传输性能的影响，并将该传输性能与膜微观结构建立关联。本研究将首次直接评估掺入氧化石墨烯（Graphene Oxide，GO）与gCN/PTI二维纳米材料的离聚体膜结构在燃料电池及其他能源转换与存储应用中的性能表现。