Novel Proton Exchange Membrane Utilizing Nano Composite for Fuel Cell Application

In the present report, we conducted the study of chemical top down process which seems to provide better efficiency and better cost saving than the physical top down in the fabrication of nano scale, especially, when applying to carbon materials. It is found that the chemical top down performs effectively with multiple attachments of electrolytic groups onto the surface of the carbon powder by diazo coupling reaction. As a result, we are able to isolate the nano scale of carbon particles with strong polar solvents such as water and believe that it is due to electrostatic repulsive force between same sign charges existing in the polarized electrolytic groups... The cleavage of azo bond in a naked carbon product can occur above 110oC in ambient condition but can also escape by a nano composite structure using specific emulsion polymer as binder matrix. Electrolytic groups carry charge from ionization are proven to reduce electron transport but enhance proton transport capability of carbon material, have successfully demonstrated a proton exchange membrane (PEM) which exhibits better heat resistance and higher current density than the commercial Nafion product in the PEM fuel cell application. The diazo coupling product of carbon exhibits a core-shell structure composed of a nano scale hydrophobic core and electrolytic shell, showing apparent “solubility” and named as “liquid” nano carbon (LNC).