OPTIMIZING THE PERFORMANCE OF NAFION MEMBRANES IN HUMIDIFIERS TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS IN REALIZING CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Enggar Ira Elyana; Malfa Syakira Nauraliefia; Muhammad Rafi Awwal Abdilla

Enggar Ira Elyana Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Surabaya
Malfa Syakira Nauraliefia nauraliefi@gmail.com
Muhammad Rafi Awwal Abdilla Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Surabaya

Keywords: Clean Energy, Efficienc, Fuel Cells, Hydrogen, Nafion

Abstract

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) are a key technology in the hydrogen revolution, offering efficiencies of up to 60% and ultra-low emissions. The Antasena ITS Team has integrated an open-cathode PEMFC system into its hydrogen vehicle innovation to optimize performance. However, humidity and temperature significantly impact the performance of PEMFC systems, as the water content in the polymer electrolyte membrane plays a crucial role in enhancing proton conductivity. To address this, humidifiers are employed to maintain membrane hydration, ensuring proton conductivity and system efficiency. By adding moisture to the air entering the cathode, humidifiers prevent membrane dehydration, improving stability and fuel cell performance. Humidifiers typically utilize Nafion membranes due to their exceptional ability to retain moisture under operating conditions. Nafion, a perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer, is renowned for its high ionic conductivity and excellent chemical and mechanical stability. This study investigates the performance of Nafion 117 and Nafion 115 membranes in humidifier applications, focusing on proton conductivity, efficiency, thermal resistance, and chemical stability. Prior to testing, the membranes were cleaned with a 0.5 M sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) solution at 80°C for 1 hour to remove metal contaminants that could impair conductivity. This cleaning process enhanced membrane conductivity by up to 50%. Following cleaning, the membranes were assembled with protective cover plates to withstand mechanical stress and positioned between bipolar plates featuring reactant gas channels for hydrogen and oxygen distribution. The results demonstrate that Nafion 115 exhibited a higher proton conductivity of 0.33 S/cm at 130°C and 100% relative humidity (RH) compared to Nafion 117, which reached 0.21 S/cm under the same conditions. However, Nafion 117 showed superior resistance to dehydration and greater thermal stability due to its 180 µm thickness. Conversely, Nafion 115 proved more efficient for proton transport at high temperatures but was more sensitive to low-humidity environments.

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