Abstract: A proton exchange membrane (PEM) for use in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is a laminate of graphene oxide (GO) or sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO) platelets. The mean size of the platelets is at least 10 ?m in diameter and the platelets are combined as a laminate. By use of sufficiently large platelets, the stability of the PEM and the resistance to methanol permeation is improved dramatically with little penalty to the proton conductivity of the GO or SGO PEM. The methanol resistant PEM permits the use of higher methanol concentrations at the anode of a DMFC, for high cell performance.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced composites fabricated using a low-temperature, solution-based growth of nanowires such as ZnO nanowires on the surface of the reinforcing fibers such as carbon fibers and functionalized aramid fibers. The composites with nanowire interphase may have an enhanced fiber/matrix interface strength and a comparable in-plane strength, as compared to similar composites without such nanowire interphase.