SAXS Investigation of the Effect of Freeze/Thaw Cycles on the Nanostructure of Nafion Membranes.

In this study, we performed small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to investigate the structure of Nafion membranes. The effect of freeze/thaw (F/T) cycles (from ambient temperature down to -40 °C) on the membrane nanostructure was considered for the first time. The SAXS measurements were taken for different samples: a commercial Nafion 212 membrane swollen in water and methanol solution, and a water-swollen silica-modified membrane.

Graphene and Graphene-Like Materials for Hydrogen Energy.

The review is devoted to current and promising areas of application of graphene and materials based on it for generating environmentally friendly hydrogen energy. Analysis of the results of theoretical and experimental studies of hydrogen accumulation in graphene materials confirms the possibility of creating on their basis systems for reversible hydrogen storage, which combine high capacity, stability, and the possibility of rapid hydrogen evolution under conditions acceptable for practical use. Recent advances in the development of chemically and heat-resistant graphene-based membrane materials make it possible to create new gas separation membranes that provide high permeability and selectivity and are promising for hydrogen purification in processes of its production from natural gas.

Reduced Graphene Oxide and Its Modifications as Catalyst Supports and Catalyst Layer Modifiers for PEMFC.

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and RGO modified by ozone (RGO-O) and fluorine (RGO-F) were synthesized. Pt nanoparticles were deposited on these materials and also on Vulcan XC-72 using the polyol method. The structural and electrochemical properties of the obtained catalysts were investigated in a model glass three-electrode electrochemical cell and in a laboratory PEM fuel cell.