Functionalizing monolayer graphene as a proton-selective membrane for direct methanol fuel cells

Abstract

This thesis focused on the exploration of monolayer graphene as a membrane in direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications, with improvements achieved through plasma exposure or damage- free chemical functionalization. The advancements in low-dimensional materials (LDMs) have unveiled a new era where artificial membranes can regulate ion transport with atomic precision.The trade-off between selectivity and conductivity, which has impeded the development of proton exchange membranes, has been overcome through monolayer graphene, making it applicable in large-scale devices such as DMFCs. This work has the potential to solve many challenges faced by devices requiring proton exchange membranes, extending beyond fuel cells.