Spe Water Electrolysis Preparation Of Nafion / Ptfe Composite Membrane And Ccm And Process Optimization

Development of hydrogen energy technology aims at contribution to solving global environmental problems and releasing human from deeply depending on fossil energy by means of large-scale and effective utilization of clean and renewable energies. The production of hydrogen and oxygen gases through water electrolysis technique is mature. Moreover, solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) water electrolysis technique seems to be more competitive than commercialized alkaline water electrolysis due to its high efficiency, high purity and high current density.SPE membrane is one of the important components in SPE water electrolysis cells. Nafion^?/PTFE composite membranes were prepared by depositing Nafion resin into porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films, and firstly applied in the SPE water electrolysis cell. The water content, dimensional stability, mechanical strength and proton conductivity of the composite membranes were tested, compared with Nafion(?)112. The results clearly show that the dimensional stability and mechanical strength of the Nafion^?/PTFE composite membranes were better than Nafion^?112.The key component of the SPEWE is catalyst-coated membrane (CCM), which consists of SPE membrane and two catalyst layers. A novel procedure for the preparation of CCM has been developed. The 5% Nafion solution and low boling point solvent (e. g. ethanol, isopropanol) were ultrasonically mixed. The CCM was obtained by firstly spraying the ink of catalyst and Nafion solution on the two sides of Nafion/PTFE composite membrane, which was in low degree of crystallization, then crystallized at 150°C together to strongly bonded the interface between the membrane and the catalyst layers. Such procedure can...