SiO2-CNTs doped nafion membranes applied in high temperature PEM fuel cells

We prepared a novel hybrid membrane by doping recast Nafion^@ membrane with SiO₂-CNTs composites where carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were decorated with SiO₂ nano-particles. SiO₂-CNTs were prepared via sol-gel method, and then mixed with nafion resin through sonication. Hydrophilic SiO₂ nano-particles were chosed to increase the water uptake of hybrid membrane, and the CNTs were chosed to improve the mechanical property of hybrid membrane. A series of tests show that water uptake and thermal performance¿two key performance of proton exchange membrane (PEM) are improved.