Fuel cell performance of proton irradiated and subsequently sulfonated poly(vinyl fluoride) membranes

Proton irradiated and sulfonated poly(vinyl fluoride) (PVF-SA) membranes have been tested with respect to fuel cell performance and swelling in water. Swelling of the PVF-SA membranes was clearly lower than that of the Nafion® 117 and 112 membranes. In fuel cell tests the performance of the low price PVF-SA was better than Nafion® 117 membranes tested under similar conditions. In contrast, the Nafion® 112 membrane performed better than the PVF-SA membrane. The low ohmic resistivity of Nafion® 112 and the compatibility between Nafion membrane and Nafion impregnated electrodes explain this. PVF-SA membranes suffered from degradation during the fuel cell testing.