Performances of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with alternate membranes

Hydrogen/oxygen proton exchange membrane fuel cells with Nafion, Aciplex, F lemion and Shanghai membranes have been investigated. The membrane performa nce is closely related to the chemical composition, equivalent weight and t hickness of the membranes. It is found that the mass transport limitation o f fuel cells with the perfluorosulfonated ionomer membranes in the high cur rent density range mainly originates from the limitation of proton transpor t from the anode to the cathode due to a long-distance diffusion. The Tafel slope of the oxygen reduction reaction for Nafion and Shanghai membranes i ncreases with increasing membrane thickness, while the Tafel slopes for Aci plex and Flemion membranes decrease with increasing membrane thickness, whi ch suggests that there is a difference in the oxygen reduction reaction bet ween the two groups of fuel cells.