An Effective Methanol-Blocking Cation Exchange Membrane Modified with Graphene Oxide Nanosheet for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Herein, graphene oxide nanosheets (GO) were synthesized and employed as an additive at various proportions to fabricate a novel cation exchange membrane based on grafted cellulose acetate with sodium 4-styrenesulfonate (GCA) via solution casting method for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. The structure of composite membranes has been examined using FTIR, TGA, SEM, DSC. physicochemical properties the GCA/GO membranes, such ion capacity, water uptake, mechanical chemical stability, permeability, proton conductivity, measured. inclusion GO significantly improved ability block methanol, contributing observed effects. Among several developed, (2 wt.%) had highest selectivity uptake 45%, conductivity 5.99 × 10−3 S/cm, permeability 1.12 10−7 cm2/s, electrical 26.39 103 Ss/cm3. Simultaneously, membranes’ mechanical, oxidative, thermal stabilities also enhanced. Single-cell estimation 2 wt.% modified demonstrated maximum power density 31.85 mW.cm−2 30 °C. Overall, these findings highlight perspective application developed in DMFC.