SURFACE-TREATED HYDROCARBON-BASED POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANES FOR DIRECT OXIDATION FUEL CELLS

摘要

A proton (H+)-conducting hydrocarbon (HC)-based polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) having first and second oppositely facing surfaces comprises a HC-based membrane with at least one perfluoropolymer incorporated on or within at least the first and second surfaces. A method for fabricating the PEM comprises surface treating a HC-based polymeric membrane sheet via immersion in an aqueous solution or dispersion of said at least one perfluoropolymer, followed by drying of the surface treated polymeric membrane sheet.