Abstract
The objective of this PhD work is the development of perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells with high mechanical and chemical stability. The strategy used during this thesis consists of preparing composite membranes incorporating networks of polymer nanofibers (mechanical reinforcement) as well as inorganic and organic radical scavengers (chemical stabilization). To avoid the elution of the latter, nanotubular clays were used as immobilization support and incorporated directly into the PFSA membrane or into polymer nanofibers. The membranes thus prepared were characterized ex situ, then in a single fuel cell. Their gas permeability and their stability towards mechanical and chemical degradation have been evaluated by accelerated stress test.