Polymer nanocomposite is a new kind of material that offers to substitute
traditionally filled polymers. The nanomaterial polymer matrix inter-phase area
increases drastically due to the inherent high surface-to-volume ratio resulting in
remarkably enhanced properties compared to the pristine polymers or their
conventional counterpart filled nanocomposites. Nanocomposites have several novel
properties such as nonlinear optical properties, electronic conductivity and
luminescence. Therefore, their use has been projected in many areas like chemical
sensors, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFCs), electroluminescent
devices, batteries, electrocatalysis, smart windows and memory devices. PEMFCs
embody a potential candidate for electrochemical energy generation in the twenty-first
century due to their better efficiency and environmentally friendly nature. Proton
exchange/Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) plays a vital role in the PEMFCs.
Currently, PEM like Nafion and Flemions are widely used in PEMFC, which have
certain drawbacks such as fuel cross-over through the membrane, low operating
temperature, and high cost. The researchers from several laboratories across the globe
have put their extreme effort into preparing a novel polymer electrolyte membrane with
high proton conductivity, better long-term stability, improved thermal stability, high
peak power density (PPD), and less fuel crossover with minimum cost. The advent of
nanotechnology has brought a new scope to this research area. The hybrid (organic
polymer with inorganic nanoparticle) nanocomposite membrane has developed into an
exciting alternative to the conventional polymer membrane applications. It provides an
exclusive blend of inorganic and organic properties and helps to overcome the
drawbacks of align="center"pristine polymer membranes. In this book chapter, we have
focused on different nanomaterials and their effect is analyzed in polymer electrolyte
nanocomposite membranes for PEMFC applications.
Keywords: Nanocomposite, Proton conductivity, Acid functional group, PEMFC, Water absorption, Thermal Stability, Fuel cell Performance, Ionic medium, Inorganic particle, Oxidative stability, Functionalization.
