CytroCell@Nafion: Enhanced Proton Exchange Membranes

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are crucial for fuel cells and electrolyzers.
• Nafion is a widely used perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer in PEMs.
• Developing sustainable and high-performance membrane materials is an ongoing research area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate lemon-derived CytroCell nanocellulose as a biobased filler for Nafion.
• To prepare and characterize CytroCell@Nafion composite membranes.
• To evaluate the impact of CytroCell on membrane properties, including proton conductivity and mechanical performance.

Main Methods:

• Composite membranes were fabricated using a casting and solvent evaporation technique.
• Varying concentrations of CytroCell (up to 20 wt.%) were incorporated into a Nafion ionomer solution.
• Proton conductivity, flexibility, and ductility of the composite membranes were assessed.

Main Results:

• CytroCell@Nafion composite membranes exhibited molecular-scale homogeneity.
• Optimal proton conductivity was achieved with 10 wt.% CytroCell loading.
• The composite membranes demonstrated enhanced flexibility and ductility compared to pristine Nafion.

Conclusions:

• Lemon CytroCell nanocellulose is a viable biobased filler for enhancing Nafion-based PEMs.
• The optimized composite membrane shows potential for improved performance in fuel cell and electrolyzer applications.
• Further investigation into long-term operational stability is warranted to confirm applicability in devices.