Synthesis and characterization of the cross-linked PVA/TiO2 composite polymer membrane for alkaline DMFC

A novel PVA/TiO2 composite polymer membrane was prepared by a solution casting method. Glutaraldehyde (GA) was used as a cross-linker for the composite polymer membrane in order to enhance the chemical, thermal and mechanical stabilities. The characteristic properties of the cross-linked PVA/TiO2 composite polymer membranes were examined by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning surface microscopy (SEM), and ac impedance method. The novel DMFC, consisting of an air cathode electrode with MnO2 carbon inks, an anode electrode with PtRu black inks on carbon paper and the PVA/TiO2 composite polymer membrane, was assembled and examined. It was found that the DMFC using this novel cheap PVA/TiO2 composite polymer membrane showed good electrochemical performance at ambient temperature and pressure. The maximum peak power density of the alkaline DMFC is about 7.54 mW cm−2 at 60 °C and 1 atm.