REINFORCED PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE
A reinforced proton-exchange membrane is provided that includes a first layer including a first ionomer, where the first layer has a first side and a second side. A second layer includes a graphene oxide, where the second layer has a first side and a second side, the first side of the second layer adjacent the second side of the first layer. A third layer includes a second ionomer, where the third layer has a first side and a second side, the first side of the third layer adjacent the second side of the second layer. The proton-exchange membrane can include or be formed upon a support layer, where the support layer is adjacent the first side of the first layer.
1 . A proton-exchange membrane comprising:
a first layer including a first ionomer, the first layer having a first side and a second side;
a second layer including a graphene oxide, the second layer having a first side and a second side, the first side of the second layer adjacent the second side of the first layer; and
a third layer including a second ionomer, the third layer having a first side and a second side, the first side of the third layer adjacent the second side of the second layer.
2 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 1 , wherein:
the first side of the second layer is directly adjacent the second side of the first layer; and
the first side of the third layer is directly adjacent the second side of the second layer.
3 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 1 , further comprising a support layer adjacent the first side of the first layer.
4 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 3 , wherein the support layer is directly adjacent the first side of the first layer.
5 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 3 , wherein the support layer includes a fluoropolymer.
6 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 1 , wherein the first ionomer, the second ionomer, or each of the first ionomer and the second ionomer includes a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer-copolymer.
7 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 1 , wherein the first layer and the second ionomer are substantially the same.
8 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 1 , wherein the graphene oxide includes a functionalized graphene oxide having ionized units.
9 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 8 , wherein the ionized units include sulfonic acid units.
10 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 1 , wherein the second layer includes an antioxidant.
11 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 10 , wherein the antioxidant includes cerium oxide.
12 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 1 , wherein the graphene oxide includes a functionalized graphene oxide, and the second layer includes cerium oxide.
13 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 1 , wherein the graphene oxide includes a functionalized graphene oxide, and the second layer includes cerium oxide and a proton form ionomer.
14 . The proton-exchange membrane of claim 1 , wherein the graphene oxide includes a functionalized graphene oxide, and the second layer includes cerium oxide and a sodium ion form ionomer.
15 . A membrane electrode assembly comprising:
a proton-exchange membrane according to claim 1 , wherein the proton-exchange membrane is disposed between two electrodes.
16 . A fuel cell comprising the membrane electrode assembly according to claim 15 .
17 . A vehicle comprising a fuel cell according to claim 16 .
18 . A method of making a proton-exchange membrane, comprising:
disposing a first layer on a support layer, the first layer including a first ionomer;
disposing a second layer on the first layer, the second layer including graphene oxide; and
disposing a third layer on the second layer, the third layer including a second ionomer.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising removing the support layer.
20 . A method of making a membrane electrode assembly, comprising:
making a proton-exchange membrane according to the method of claim 18 ;
disposing a first electrode on one side of the proton-exchange membrane; and
disposing a second electrode on another side of the proton-exchange membrane.