In situ Durability of ZrP-Nafion115 Composite Membrane for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Zirconium hydrogen phosphate-Nafion115 composite membrane was prepared by chemically anchoring zirconium hydrogen phosphate（ZrP）nano-particles into Nafion115 matrix, with hydrated ion-clusters of Nafion115 membrane as micro-reactors. The durability of ZrP-Nafion115 composite membrane during the operation of direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) was evaluated by XRD, in situ constant-current discharge and so on. Moreover, possible chemically anchoring mechanism of ZrP nano-particles into ion-cluster of Nafion115 membrane was deep analyzed and the micro-structure was also disclosed. Results showed that DMFC with ZrP-Nafion115 composite membrane can stably run above 0.4 V for at least 116 h without significant loss of ZrP nano-particles.