Zirconium Phosphate Based Inorganic Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Abstract

A new nano structured and fully inorganic composite zirconium phosphate proton conducting material was synthesized by support impregnation with zirconium oxide suspensions or sols and subsequent phosphorization. The composite inorganic zirconium phosphate membranes prepared using the zirconium oxide suspension were found to give rise to high proton conductivity. The proton conductivity obtained was in the order of 10–2 S/cm at room temperature (RH = 100 %), which is comparable to Nafion proton conductivity. An inorganic membrane based direct methanol fuel cell was tested and efficiency equivalent to more than 50 % of the Nafion efficiency was obtained when using standard platinum catalyst inks.