Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) employ membrane electrolytes for proton transport during the cell reaction. The membrane forms a key component of the PEFC and its performance is controlled by several physical parameters, viz. water up-take, ion-exchange capacity, proton conductivity and humidity. The article presents an overview on Nafion membranes highlighting their merits and demerits with efforts on modified-Nafion membranes.

Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly (styrene sulphonic acid) (PSSA) supported platinum (Pt) electrodes for application in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are reported. PEDOT–PSSA support helps Pt particles to be uniformly distributed on to the electrodes, and facilitates mixed electronic and ionic (H⁺-ion) conduction within the catalyst, ameliorating Pt utilization. The inherent proton conductivity of PEDOT–PSSA composite also helps reducing Nafion content in PEFC electrodes. During prolonged operation of PEFCs, Pt electrodes supported onto PEDOT–PSSA composite exhibit lower corrosion in relation to Pt electrodes supported onto commercially available Vulcan XC-72R carbon. Physical properties of PEDOT–PSSA composite have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. PEFCs with PEDOT–PSSA-supported Pt catalyst electrodes offer a peak power-density of 810 mW cm^-2 at a load current-density of 1800 mA cm^-2 with Nafion content as low as 5 wt.% in the catalyst layer. Accordingly, the present study provides a novel alternative support for platinized PEFC electrodes.

Carbon-supported Pt–Au (Pt–Au/C) catalyst is prepared separately by impregnation, colloidal and micro-emulsion methods, and characterized by physical and electrochemical methods. Highest catalytic activity towards oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR) is exhibited by Pt–Au/C catalyst prepared by colloidal method. The optimum atomic ratio of Pt to Au in Pt–Au/C catalyst prepared by colloidal method is determined using linear-sweep and cyclic voltammetry in conjunction with cell-polarization studies. Among 3:1, 2:1 and 1:1 Pt–Au/C catalysts, (3:1) Pt–Au/C exhibits maximum electrochemical activity towards ORR. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern and transmission electron micrograph suggest Pt–Au alloy nanoparticles to be well dispersed onto the carbon-support. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy data suggest that the atomic ratios of the alloying elements match well with the expected values. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) operating at 0.6 V with (3:1) Pt–Au/C cathode delivers a maximum power-density of 0.65 W/cm² in relation to 0.53 W/cm² delivered by the PEFC with pristine carbon-supported Pt cathode.

A novel nanocomposite comprising MWNTs and mixed-conducting polymeric components (electronic and ionic) is prepared, characterized and investigated as a support for platinum (Pt). Nanocomposite of MWNTs and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT–PSS) is prepared by in situ polymerization and characterized using Fourier–Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies are also carried out to characterize the surface topography of MWNTs/PEDOT–PSS nanocomposite. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies reveal that MWNTs/PEDOT–PSS nanocomposite provides better backbone for the improved dispersion of Pt as evidenced by the reduced Pt crystallite size over MWNTs/PEDOT–PSS nanocomposite compared to MWNTs. Electrochemical characterization studies performed with Pt/nanocomposite and Pt/MWNTs demonstrate the superior catalytic activity of Pt/nanocomposite under reduced Nafion loadings in relation to Pt/MWNTs. It is observed that mixed conducting nanoporous network ofMWNTs/PEDOT–PSS composite structure promotes the catalytic activity of Pt by enhancing catalyst utilization.

Porous titanium oxide–carbon hybrid nanostructure (TiO₂–C) with a specific surface area of 350 m²/g and an average pore-radius of 21.8 Å is synthesized via supramolecular self-assembly with an in situ crystallization process. Subsequently, TiO₂–C supported Pt–Ru electro-catalyst (Pt–Ru/TiO₂–C) is obtained and investigated as an anode catalyst for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been employed to evaluate the crystalline nature and the structural properties of TiO₂–C. TEM images reveal uniform distribution of Pt–Ru nanoparticles (𝑑_Pt−Ru = 1.5–3.5 nm) on TiO₂–C. Methanol oxidation and accelerated durability studies on Pt–Ru/TiO₂–C exhibit enhanced catalytic activity and durability compared to carbon-supported Pt–Ru. DMFC employing Pt–Ru/TiO₂–C as an anode catalyst delivers a peak-power density of 91 mW/cm² at 65 °C as compared to the peak-power density of 60 mW/cm² obtained for the DMFC with carbon-supported Pt–Ru anode catalyst operating under similar conditions.

Hydroxyl ion (OH^–) conducting anion exchange membranes based on modified poly (phenylene oxide) are fabricated for their application in alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells (APEFCs). In the present study, chloromethylation of poly(phenylene oxide) (PPO) is performed by aryl substitution rather than benzyl substitution and homogeneously quaternized to form an anion exchange membrane (AEM). ¹H NMR and FT–IR studies reveal successful incorporation of the above groups in the polymer backbone. The membrane is characterized for its ion exchange capacity and water uptake. The membrane formed by these processes show good ionic conductivity and when used in fuel cell exhibited an enhanced performance in comparison with the state-of-the-art commercial AHA membrane. A peak power density of 111 mW/cm² at a load current density of 250 mA/cm² is obtained for PPO based membrane in APEFCs at 30 °C.