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Novel Nafion-Poly(vinyl alcohol)-ethylammonium nitrate hybrid membrane with self-healing ability for direct methanol fuel cells.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Novel Nafion-Poly(vinyl alcohol)-ethylammonium nitrate hybrid membrane with self-healing ability for direct methanol fuel cells.
Authors:	Ng, Wei Wuen¹ (AUTHOR), Thiam, Hui San¹ (AUTHOR) thiamhs@utar.edu.my, Chen, Wei-Hsin^2,3,4 (AUTHOR), Pang, Yean Ling¹ (AUTHOR), Lim, Yun Seng¹ (AUTHOR), Wong, Jianhui¹ (AUTHOR), Saw, Lip Huat¹ (AUTHOR)
Source:	International Journal of Green Energy. 2026, Vol. 23 Issue 2, p405-419. 15p.
Subject Terms:	Direct methanol fuel cells, Self-healing materials, Composite membranes (Chemistry), Vinyl polymers, Proton conductivity, Nafion, *Ammonium nitrate
Abstract:	Self-healing technology offers a promising solution for enhancing the durability and efficiency of fuel cell systems by enabling autonomous repair of damage. In this study, a self-healing proton exchange membrane (PEM) is developed by modifying Nafion with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and the protic ionic liquid ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) using a freezing-thawing method. The resulting hybrid membrane demonstrates the ability to autonomously heal damage, restoring up to 87% of its initial methanol-blocking and 88% of its tensile strength. Such self-healing capability is essential for addressing pinholes and microcracks that develop during direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) operation. Moreover, the incorporation of an optimal 5 wt% EAN significantly enhances the membrane proton conductivity by creating a hydrogen bonding network that facilitates both Grotthuss and vehicle proton conduction mechanisms. The denser structure of the hybrid membrane also reduces methanol crossover by 41.4% compared to the recast Nafion. With improved selectivity, the hybrid membrane delivers a power density of 7.44 mW cm−2 in a passive DMFC, outperforming both recast Nafion (2.41 mW cm−2) and commercial Nafion 117 (4.74 mW cm−2). The increased power output of the hybrid membrane, coupled with its self-repair ability, highlights its significant potential and sustainability for DMFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database:	Energy & Power Source

Description
Abstract:	Self-healing technology offers a promising solution for enhancing the durability and efficiency of fuel cell systems by enabling autonomous repair of damage. In this study, a self-healing proton exchange membrane (PEM) is developed by modifying Nafion with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and the protic ionic liquid ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) using a freezing-thawing method. The resulting hybrid membrane demonstrates the ability to autonomously heal damage, restoring up to 87% of its initial methanol-blocking and 88% of its tensile strength. Such self-healing capability is essential for addressing pinholes and microcracks that develop during direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) operation. Moreover, the incorporation of an optimal 5 wt% EAN significantly enhances the membrane proton conductivity by creating a hydrogen bonding network that facilitates both Grotthuss and vehicle proton conduction mechanisms. The denser structure of the hybrid membrane also reduces methanol crossover by 41.4% compared to the recast Nafion. With improved selectivity, the hybrid membrane delivers a power density of 7.44 mW cm−2 in a passive DMFC, outperforming both recast Nafion (2.41 mW cm−2) and commercial Nafion 117 (4.74 mW cm−2). The increased power output of the hybrid membrane, coupled with its self-repair ability, highlights its significant potential and sustainability for DMFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	15435075
DOI:	10.1080/15435075.2025.2558925