Browsing by Author "Boswell, RW"

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    High water diffusivity in low hydration plasma-polymerised proton exchange membranes
    (Trans Tech Publications, 2010-08-02) Peterson, VK; Corr, CS; Kearley, GJ; Boswell, RW; Izaola, Z
    This paper compares proton diffusion through plasma-polymerised proton-exchange membranes (PEMs) produced using traditional wet-chemical methods (Nafion®) and those produced using plasma-polymerisation. Using quasielastic neutron scattering and a simple model of proton motion we find the measured diffusion-rate of protons in the plasma-polymerised material and Nafion® is the same (within 1 standard error) even though the plasma-polymerised membrane has 80% less water than the Nafion®. We attribute this result to the highly cross-linked structure of the plasma-polymerised membrane.
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    Superfast proton diffusion achieved in a plasma-polymerized fuel-cell membrane
    (American Chemical Society, 2013-03-07) Peterson, VK; Corr, CS; Boswell, RW; Izaola, Z; Kearley, GJ
    We measure superfast proton diffusion in a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) produced by plasma polymerization. The proton self-diffusion is measured in water-saturated PEMs from the proton autocorrelation function obtained from quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS). 41(3)% of protons in the plasma-produced membrane diffuse at a rate that is an order of magnitude faster than that measured in the commercially available membrane, Nafion, and this is achieved in low hydration conditions. Both molecular dynamic simulations and experimental results are consistent with an assisted superfast diffusion process that may open the way to more powerful fuel cells. © 2013, American Chemical Society.