Preparation and characterization of novel composites based on a radiation grafted membrane for fuel cells

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/fuce.201000153

Novel composites for fuel cells were prepared via two different methods using a radiation grafted membrane, prepared from poly(ethylene-alt-tetrafluoroethylene) and styrene, and commercial Nafion®112 as the substrates. The first method was based on chemical polymerization of pyrrole (Py) on the membrane followed by platinum (Pt) deposition by chemical reduction. The second method was based on direct deposition of Pt on the membrane by several steps of initial composite formation and surface electrodeposition. Polypyrrole (PPy) was coated as a layer only on the surface of the membrane and the thickness of PPy layer and proton conductivity of the composites could be controlled with Py polymerization time. Moreover, the deposition of Pt only on the surface was achieved by the first method while Pt deposition occurred as aggregates of particles both on the surface of the membrane and interior of the membrane by the second method which yielded wavy and rough surfaces. The first method offered a simple, quick, reproducible and effective procedure, yet some of the Pt particles peeled off from the surface of the composites. The second method required complex, multistep and tedious procedure with a high amount of Pt precursor, while Pt particles were more stable in this case.