Development of new glass composite membranes and their properties for low temperature H2/O2 fuel cells

A new glass electrolyte formed by constant amounts of titanium oxide (TiO2) and various amount of phosphotungstic acid (PWA) doped P2O5-SiO2 is prepared using the sol-gel process. The structural formation is confirmed by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and from thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) measurements, the glasses display good thermal stability. Further characterisation is undertaken by N2 adsorption/desorption measurements, proton conductivity and hydrogen permeability analyses and a H2/O2 fuel cell test is also performed. The glass materials with large pores and specific surface area are suitable for use as the electrolyte in H2/O2 fuel cells. The effect of TiO2 processing with constant amount of PWA in phosphosilicate glasses, is investigated and discussed. The hydrogen permeability is 1.57x10(-11) mol cm(-1) s(-1) Pa(-1) at 110 degrees C for 0.8 mm thick glass; a power density of 46.3 mW cm(-2) at 125 mA cm(-2) and a current density of 175 mA cm(-2) is obtained (T=28 degrees C, relative humidity).