Proton dynamics of nafion and Nafion/SiO2 composites by solid state NMR and pulse field gradient NMR

Proton mobilities in Nafion and Nafion/SiO2 composites have been studied using high-resolution solid-state MAS NMR. High-resolution solid-state H-1 NMR show that low concentrations of TEOS or short permeation times are necessary to allow complete hydrolysis of TEOS in Nafion. Incomplete hydrolysis of TEOS leaves residual ethyl groups on the surface of silica, which not only reduces the amount of water adsorbed by silica but also blocks the pathway of proton transport in the Nafion/SiO2 composites. The diffusion coefficients established using PFG NMR show that the best Nafion/SiO2 composite can be obtained from synthesis with a low concentration of TEOS in a methanol solution. This composite gives a higher diffusion coefficient than pure Nafion under dry conditions, although no differentiation in performance is observed when the membranes are hydrated. Si-29 NMR shows that this composite has a high ratio of Q(3)/Q(4) sites, consistent with a small particle size and many surface hydroxyl groups. Together, these data demonstrate the role of high-surface-area SiO2 particles in trapping water and building a pathway for structural (Grotthuss mechanism) proton diffusion. Good proton transport under low relative humidity is the holy grail of the PEM-FC community, and this molecular level study shows how conditions can be iteratively optimized to target desirable structure-property relationships.