High-Performance Proton Exchange Membrane with Vertically Aligned Montmorillonite Nanochannels

YS Gao and ZL Qiao and L Zhang and L Shi, SMALL, 21, 2409192 (2025).

DOI: 10.1002/smll.202409192

The traditional perfluorosulfonic acid proton exchange membrane is crucial for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, but its high cost has impeded broader commercialization. In this study, a novel concept of a cost-effective and stable vertically aligned polydopamine-intercalated montmorillonite membrane (VAPMM) is introduced. 2D nanochannels formed within the lamellar structure of polydopamine-coated montmorillonite nanosheets provide a significant stable in-plane proton conductivity of 0.58 S cm-1. The stacked lamellar structure is embedded in epoxy resin to maintain its orientation. Subsequently, precise slicing along the vertical direction of the 2D nanochannels yields a thin film approximate to 150 mu m thick, featuring vertically aligned proton conductive transmembrane nanochannels. When assembled into a membrane electrode assembly with commercial gas diffusion electrodes, the VAPMM exhibits a maximum areal peak power density of up to 534.00 mW cm-2 at 75 degrees C with 100% RH, surpassing by more than four times that of a commercial Nafion membrane of similar thickness (N117, 183 mu m, 116.17 mW cm-2). This study outlines a pathway for developing next-generation proton exchange membranes that are both cost-effective and highly stable. Additionally, it introduces a straightforward method to create fully vertically aligned transmembrane nanochannels while preserving the interlayer structure, which is crucial for advancements in nanofluidics.

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