Characterization of a water rich-feature in a new multicomponent membrane (gCN/PTI mixed with Nafion) for energy applications.

Proton exchange membranes (PEM) are essential components of devices where it is required to transport H+ while blocking the flow of other ions and molecules used as reactants. Although Nafion (the most common material) has excellent H+ conductivity, it also exhibits poor selectivity. Research is underway to develop alternative membrane systems, including materials that can be combined with Nafion to enhance performance. We have successfully integrated either graphene oxide (GO) or graphitic carbon nitrides (gCN/PTI) and found that the presence of these components modifies the water dynamics with a consequent enhancement in performance. We are now focusing on the correlation between the nanoscale arrangement of composite PEMs and their role in the proton conduction mechanism.