%0 Conference Paper
%A Mitra, Souvik
%T METAL POISONING OF NAFION PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE
%M FZJ-2026-00148
%D 2025
%X Metal-ion contamination of Nafion proton-exchange membranes (PEMs) remains a persistent durability and performance issue in PEM fuel cells. Metal cations originating from insufficiently deionized feed water, coolant leaks, or corrosion of metallic cell components can exchange with protons at the sulfonate groups (SO₃⁻) of Nafion, thereby reducing proton conductivity and overall cell performance.In this work, we combine atomistic molecular dynamics simulations with in-plane conductivity measurements to build a consistent picture of how a broad series of mono-, di-, and trivalent cations affect transport in Nafion under comparable conditions. For monovalent ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺), our study reveals a reversal of the familiar mobility trend of these cations in the presence of Nafion membrane compared to  bulk water, reflecting the competition between ion hydration and specific binding to the SO₃⁻  groups of Nafion.
M2 , Germany
%F PUB:(DE-HGF)31
%9 Talk (non-conference)
%U https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/1050361