Hsiang-Fu Cheng1, Han-Tang Liu1, Yi-Ming Sun1, Yin-Ling Liu2, and Juin-Yih Lai2. (1) Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Chung-Li, Taoyuan, 320, Taiwan, (2) Research and Development Center for Membrane Technology, Chung Yuan University, Chung-Li, Taoyuan, 320, Taiwan
Polyelectrolyte multilayered (PEM) membranes were constructed by the layer-by-layer electrostatic self assembly (ESA) technique and tested for their application as proton exchange membranes in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The performance of the PEM membranes in DMFCs was evaluated in terms of methanol permeability and proton conductivity. The methanol permeability of PEM membranes decreased dramatically with increasing polyelectrolyte layers. However, the proton conductivity of the PEM membranes was better than or similar to the pristine Nafion-117 at higher temperatures. The characterization of the PEM membranes and the test results of the single cell test with the membranes will be presented.