Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiao-Qian Xu, Li-Hui Cao, Yan Yang, Fang Zhao, Xiang-Tian Bai, Shuang-Quan Zang
Summary: In this study, high-performance proton exchange hybrid membranes were established by doping high proton-conducting iHOFs into the Nafion matrix for PEMFC applications. The synergistic effect of iHOFs and Nafion significantly improved the proton conductivity of the composite membranes, leading to enhanced power and current density values in fuel cell performance tests. Adjusting the sulfonic group positions on naphthalene disulfonic acid compounds allowed for the successful synthesis of iHOFs with different types of hydrogen bonds, providing a practical approach for future development in portable power generation.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Pengfei Yang, Linlin Xu, Panagiotis Trogadas, Marc-Olivier Coppens, Yang Lan
Summary: By incorporating cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]) into sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) matrix, inspired by the proton conduction mechanism of bacteriorhodopsin, hybrid proton exchange membranes (PEMs) with enhanced proton conductivity are fabricated. The CB[n] carbonyl groups serve as proton-conducting sites, while the host-guest interaction between CB[n] and water molecules offers additional proton conducting pathways. The hybrid membranes exhibit significantly improved proton conductivity and superior fuel cell performance.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Kanchanok Kodchakorn, Piyarat Nimmanpipug, Suttinun Phongtamrug, Kohji Tashiro
Summary: Compounds containing different numbers of imidazole units were synthesized and their X-ray crystal structures revealed strong intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding network, as well as high thermal degradation temperatures. This information allowed for the prediction of proton transfer behaviors, which was confirmed through proton conductivity experiments.
JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jun Liu, Jun Long, Wenheng Huang, Wenjie Xu, Xiujuan Qi, Jinchao Li, Yaping Zhang
Summary: A novel diamine monomer with imino groups is synthesized and four branched sulfonated polyimide membranes are developed for VFB application. These membranes break the trade-off between proton conduction and vanadium ion blocking and enhance stability through hydrogen bonds network and Donnan repulsion effect. The proton selectivity of I-bSPI-50 membrane is 4.6 times that of Nafion 212 membrane, and it exhibits superior coulomb and energy efficiencies as well as high capacity holding abilities during 600-time cycles. This work demonstrates a promising pathway for obtaining cost-effective membrane for VFB application through hydrogen bonds construction strategy.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Zhi-Tong Chu, Rong-Yun Li, Chuan-Cong Zhou, Hou-Ting Liu, Jing Lu, Su-Na Wang, Yun-Wu Li
Summary: Two coordination polymers were synthesized under weaker acidity conditions, promoting acidity and proton conduction behavior. When incorporated into composite membranes with Nafion, they significantly increased proton conductivity. This enhancement is attributed to the continuous hydrogen bonding chains in the crystal structures.
JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
S. A. Muhmed, Juhana Jaafar, S. N. A. Ahmad, M. H. Mohamed, A. F. Ismail, H. Ilbeygi, M. H. D. Othman, Mukhlis A. Rahman
Summary: A novel organic-inorganic nanocomposite membrane incorporating sulfonated holey graphene oxide (SHGO) into the nanocrystalline cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol (NCC/PVA) matrix as a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) was prepared using a solution casting method. The introduction of sulfonic acid groups in graphene oxide (GO) resulted in sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO), and the hole effect of GO in SHGO significantly improved the proton conductivity of the membranes by facilitating proton transfer. The highest proton conductivity of 1.1 x 10-2 S cm-1 was achieved by NCC/PVA-SHGO-1.0 at 80℃ under 100% relative humidity (RH). Mechanical and chemical stability tests showed enhanced properties, although there was a slight increase in hydrogen permeation due to the hole effect. Increasing the loading of SHGO in NCC/PVA improved its properties and performance. At 80℃, under 100% RH, NCC/PVA-SHGO-1.0 exhibited the highest power density and current density of 31.4 mW/cm2 and 60.2 mA/cm2, respectively, which were three times higher than those of pristine NCC/PVA. This study demonstrates that incorporating SHGO into NCC/PVA membranes significantly improves their properties, performance, and durability, making them potential candidates for PEMs.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ranganathan Hariprasad, Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Ae Rhan Kim, Dong Jin Yoo
Summary: The SPVdF-HFP/SGO hybrid membrane prepared by incorporating sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO) nanosheets into the sulfonated poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (SPVdF-HFP) matrix showed improved water uptake, proton conductivity, reduced methanol uptake, and swelling ratio compared to pristine SPVdF-HFP membrane. The electrostatic interaction between the membrane backbone and SGO skeleton helped to retain lower weight loss during TGA analysis. The hybrid membrane exhibited promising proton conductivity and low methanol permeability, making it a potential candidate for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) applications.
JOURNAL OF DISPERSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ya-Ru Liu, Yi-Yang Chen, Qi Zhuang, Gang Li
Summary: This review introduces the strategy of introducing proton-conducting MOFs with performance advantages into the PEM system and summarizes the properties of mixed-matrix membranes and PEMs formed by MOFs. It focuses on preparation strategies, stability, proton conductive properties, proton conduction mechanisms, and structure-activity relationship. The review highlights the prospects and challenges of future research.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sachin N. Hegde, Balappa B. Manuvalli, Mahadevappa Y. Kariduraganavar
Summary: This paper investigates the development of hybrid membranes by incorporating sulfonated functionalized nanosilica into a sulfonated tetraethyl orthosilicate-crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix. The properties of the resulting membranes, such as proton conductivity and ion exchange capacity, are studied, and the performance of the fuel cell is evaluated. The results show that the SFnSi-incorporated hybrid membrane exhibits superior performance compared to commercially available membranes and could be a potential candidate for fuel cell applications.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Taeeun Kim, Youngho Sihn, In-Ho Yoon, Sang Jun Yoon, Kwangse Lee, Jae Hwan Yang, Soonyong So, Chan Woo Park
Summary: The study investigates the potential of monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) as an effective hydrogen gas barrier for PEMs in a water electrolyzer. The hBN/Nafion composite membrane significantly enhances the hydrogen barrier property of Nafion 117, even at high temperatures, and improves water electrolysis efficiency while maintaining mechanical stability. By reducing hydrogen permeability and increasing long-term stability, the composite membrane shows promising applications in the field of water electrolysis.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Spectroscopy
Xiao Luo, Wei Shi, Yunfan Yang, Yuzhi Song, Yongqing Li
Summary: In their experiment, Song et al. successfully synthesized two novel molecules BtyC-1 and BtyC-2 and observed different fluorescence peaks in each molecule. By studying the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanisms, they found that the differences in the photochemical and photophysical properties of BtyC-1 and BtyC-2 are mainly due to the variations in hydrogen bonding interactions in their excited states.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ekaterina Yu. Safronova, Polina A. Yurova, Amir M. Ashrafi, Aleksandr V. Chernyak, Andrey V. Khoroshilov, Andrey B. Yaroslavtsev
Summary: The use of ultrasonic treatment combined with SiO2 nanoparticles in PFSA solutions can optimize the performance of hybrid membranes by improving water uptake and proton conductivity.
REACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Qi Li, Tianhong Wang, Shihan Li, Weirong Chen, Hong Liu, Elena Breaz, Fei Gao
Summary: An online extremum seeking-based optimized energy management strategy is proposed to realize optimal power distribution between proton exchange membrane fuel cell and supercapacitor in hybrid electric tram. The strategy considers the performance state of the fuel cell stack and limits the power dynamic of the fuel cell and supercapacitor to ensure stable operation. The effectiveness of the method is verified under reduced-scale operating conditions and is compared with other control strategies to demonstrate advantages in hydrogen consumption, state of charge fluctuation, efficiency, and fuel cell output power dynamics.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lei Zhang, Zhuo Liu, Chenxing Yang, Victoria Garcia Sakai, Madhusudan Tyagi, Liang Hong
Summary: This study reveals the conductive behavior of a two-dimensional layered proton conductor and finds that the conduction mechanism changes with different water content. The presence of water molecules has a significant impact on the overall conductivity. The study validates the existence of different conduction mechanisms and provides an optimization strategy.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Y. Prykhodko, K. Fatyeyeva, L. Hespel, S. Marais
Summary: Over 50% of energy is currently produced by burning non-renewable fossil fuels, leading to the release of greenhouse gases and environmental pollution. As a result, research on renewable energy sources, storage, and energy transformation devices has become increasingly important in recent years. Fuel cells, particularly proton exchange membrane fuel cells, are considered a promising energy device with ongoing developments in membrane technology.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ranganathan Hariprasad, Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Ae Rhan Kim, Dong Jin Yoo
Summary: The SPVdF-HFP/SGO hybrid membrane prepared by incorporating sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO) nanosheets into the sulfonated poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (SPVdF-HFP) matrix showed improved water uptake, proton conductivity, reduced methanol uptake, and swelling ratio compared to pristine SPVdF-HFP membrane. The electrostatic interaction between the membrane backbone and SGO skeleton helped to retain lower weight loss during TGA analysis. The hybrid membrane exhibited promising proton conductivity and low methanol permeability, making it a potential candidate for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) applications.
JOURNAL OF DISPERSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Ae Rhan Kim, Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Min Ho Song, Jae-Young Lee, Hong-Ki Lee, Dong Jin Yoo
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shanmugam Ramakrishnan, Jayaraman Balamurugan, Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Ae Rhan Kim, Sivaprakash Sengodan, Dong Jin Yoo
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kyu Ha Lee, Ji Young Chu, Vinothkannan Mohanraj, Ae Rhan Kim, Min Ho Song, Dong Jin Yoo
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Ae Rhan Kim, S. Ramakrishnan, Yeon-Tae Yu, Dong Jin Yoo
Summary: Nafion/SO3H-UGNF composite membrane shows enhanced physiochemical, thermomechanical, and electrochemical properties, with the optimized membrane achieving high power output and durability in high-temperature HAFCs, providing valuable insights for potential Nafion composites design and optimization.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Sung Kwan Ryu, Ae Rhan Kim, Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Kyu Ha Lee, Ji Young Chu, Dong Jin Yoo
Summary: The integration of phosphotungstic acid and graphene oxide into sulfonated poly(arylene ether) resulted in a composite membrane with high thermal stability and proton conductivity, showing promising potential for PEM fuel cell applications.
Article
Thermodynamics
Sung Kwan Ryu, Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Ae Rhan Kim, Dong Jin Yoo
Summary: By changing the type and stoichiometry of feed gas, as well as adjusting the operating temperature, the maximum power density of a PEMFC system can be increased. Higher temperature and oxygen diffusion rate enhance the reaction kinetics of electrodes and membrane, reducing mass-transfer resistance and improving PEMFC performance.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ae Rhan Kim, Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Kyu Ha Lee, Ji Young Chu, Byung-Hyun Park, Myung-Kwan Han, Dong Jin Yoo
Summary: The study prepared a series of composite membranes by doping different proportions of S-An-TiO2, revealing that 15wt% S-An-TiO2 significantly enhanced the performance of the composite membrane. Under continuous 60°C and 20% relative humidity conditions, the 1.5 wt% SDBC/S-An-TiO2 composite membrane exhibited high current output, power output, and durability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Ae Rhan Kim, Sung Kwan Ryu, Dong Jin Yoo
Summary: This study reported the synthesis of a novel hybrid material, sulfonated carbon nanotubes-sulfonated unzipped carbon nanotubes (SCNTs-SUCNTs), which showed enhanced surface area and increased density of sulfonic acid groups. The resulting composite membrane exhibited promising thermal, mechanical, and oxidative stabilities, as well as satisfactory physicochemical performances. Under 20% relative humidity, the Nafion/SCNTs-SUCNTs composite membrane achieved reliable proton conductivity and durability at 60 degrees C.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hariprasad Ranganathan, Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Ae Rhan Kim, Vijayapradeep Subramanian, Min-Suk Oh, Dong Jin Yoo
Summary: This study incorporated CeO2-ATiO(2) as a bifunctional filler in SPEEK, resulting in a nanocomposite membrane with improved performance. The addition of CeO2-ATiO(2) enhanced the proton conductivity of SPEEK under low humidity conditions. The SPEEK/CeO2-ATiO(2) nanocomposite membranes demonstrated improved physicochemical and thermomechanical properties, as well as excellent durability and enhanced electrochemical performance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Ae Rhan Kim, Milan Babu Poudel, Ji Young Chu, Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Ramasamy Santhosh Kumar, Natarajan Logeshwaran, Byung-Hyun Park, Myung-Kwan Han, Dong Jin Yoo
Summary: A quaternized poly (arylene ether sulfone) (QNPAES) was synthesized and a blended membrane composed of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) was developed. The mechanical strength, proton conductivity, and physicochemical properties of the mixed membrane were significantly improved by adding an appropriate amount of QNPAES (6 wt%). The PEMFC performance and durability of the mixed membrane were also greatly enhanced at 20% RH.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Edzordzi Kwame Gikunoo, Dabin Han, Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Sangaraju Shanmugam
Summary: Low-cost, durable, and high-performance membranes are urgently needed for zinc bromine redox flow battery (ZBFB) applications. By incorporating perovskite-structured cerium titanate nanoparticles dispersed on smooth carbon nanofibers (p-CT/CNF) with varying carbon content into the polymer matrix, the sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone), SPEEK, backbone is protected, the crossover of active species is reduced, and the selectivity of the composite membrane is improved. Additionally, with a nanofiller loading of 0.5 wt%, the SP-p-CT350 membrane demonstrates stable battery performance across 500 cycles at a current density of 40 mA cm-2, with an outstanding energy efficiency of 81.13%.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Terry R. Willson, Carlos A. Giron Rodriguez, Qiucheng Xu, Jordan Frow, Fabrizia Foglia, Keenan Smith, Ravikumar Ravikumar, Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Najet Mahmoudi, Ihtasham Salam, Arun Prakash Periasamy, Daniel K. Whelligan, Mohamed Mamlouk, Hungyen Lin, Brian Seger, John R. Varcoe
Summary: This study demonstrates that reducing the excess of amine reagent can lead to the fabrication of sustainable MPIP-RG-AEM. However, the reduced water content and lower ionic conductivity of MPIP-RG-AEM were observed. It was also found that the water management in CO2 electrolysis was affected and led to a significant change in performance when using MPIP-RG-AEM made with a controlled excess of amine.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Byungrak Son, Sangaraju Shanmugam
Summary: This study presents the use of carbon nitride-gadolinium zirconium oxide (gC(3)N(4)-Gd2Zr2O7) as an additive to improve the power density and lifetime of Nafion in high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells (HT-PEFCs). The Nafion/gC(3)N(4)-Gd2Zr2O7 composite membrane exhibits high water uptake, oxidative stability, and thermomechanical stability, resulting in significantly higher power density and lower voltage decay compared to commercial Nafion and pristine Nafion membranes. This research provides valuable insights into the development of advanced Nafion composite membranes for HT-PEFCs.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohanraj Vinothkannan, Ae Rhan Kim, Dong Jin Yoo
Summary: Research efforts are focused on improving the proton conductivity and other properties of Nafion membranes used in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells by incorporating carbon nanomaterial (CN)-based fillers. Despite many achievements, a comprehensive summary of these fillers is still rare.
