Polyethyleneimine-filled sepiolite nanorods-embedded poly(2,5-benzimidazole) composite membranes for wide-temperature PEMFCs

Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) that operate from room temperature to high temperatures (e.g., 200 °C) are desired for used in vehicles and combined heat power systems. In this work, polyethyleneimine-filled sepiolite nanorods ([email protected])-embedded poly(2,5-benzimidazole) composites (ABPBI/[email protected]) were synthesized in-situ enhance their proton conductivity minimize phosphoric acid (PA) leaching. They then applied PEMFCs between °C. The physicochemical electrochemical properties of the composite membranes characterized. showed enhanced thermal, oxidative, dimensional stability achieved conductivities above 0.01 S/cm 40 °C at a relative humidity 0–100%. This performance was attributed abundant hydrogen bonds PA, ABPBI, PEI, strong retention bound water within (SNRs). maximum density cell based on PA-doped ABPBI/[email protected] reached 0.16 W/cm2 80 0.27 180 an anhydrous environment, which respectively 2.2 1.5 times higher than those ABPBI membrane. much better previously reported zeolite-embedded polybenzimidazole membrane-based PEMFCs, indicating have good application prospects operating over wide range.