(588c) Polybenzimidazole/Graphene Oxide Nano-Composites for Alkaline Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells

The objective of this study is to prepare Polybenzimidazole (PBI) composite with graphene oxide (GO) nano-sheets as a barrier layer to retard alcohol fuel permeabilities while retaining electrical conductivity. These films were doped with potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution to form hydroxide-conducting electrolytes in alkaline direct alcohol fuel cells. The alkaline fuel cell gave more than double power density than that with the H₃PO₄-doped PBI. The PBI/GO composite exhibited higher fuel cell performance than the PBI film by 30-60%. The peak power density of alkaline direct methanol fuel cell reached 200 mW cm⁻² and that of alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell, 120 mW cm⁻². These results demonstrate that the PBI/GO composite is a potential electrolyte for high-performance alkaline fuel cell applications, especially for portable energy devices.