Self-assembly of highly charged polyelectrolyte complexes with superior proton conductivity and methanol barrier properties for fuel cells

Abstract

The paper is concerned with the formation of Layer-by-Layer (LbL) self-assembly of highly charged polyvinyl sulfate potassium salt (PVS) and polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) on Nafion membrane to obtain the multilayered composite membranes with both high proton conductivity and methanol blocking properties. Also, the influences of the salt addition to the polyelectrolyte solutions on membrane selectivity (proton conductivity/methanol permeability) are discussed in terms of controlled layer thickness and charge density.