Molecular dynamics studies of the Nafion, Dow and Aciplex fuel-cell polymer membrane systems

The Nafion, Dow and Aciplex systems--where the prime differences lies in the side-chain length--have been studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation under standard pressure and temperature conditions for two different levels of hydration: 5 and 15 water molecules per (H)SO(3) end-group. Structural features such as water clustering, water-channel dimensions and topology, and the dynamics of the hydronium ions and water molecules have all been analysed in relation to the dynamical properties of the polymer backbone and side-chains. It is generally found that mobility is promoted by a high water content, with the side-chains participating actively in the H(3)O(+)/H(2)O transport mechanism. Nafion, whose side-chain length is intermediate of the three polymers studied, is found to have the most mobile polymer side-chains at the higher level of hydration, suggesting that there could be an optimal side-chain length in these systems. There are also some indications that the water-channel network connectivity is optimal for high water-content Nafion system, and that this could explain why Nafion appears to exhibit the most favourable overall hydronium/water mobility.