TIME：15:00, Apr. 3, 2026
VENUE：Lecture Hall, 2F, Bianguan Building, NIMTE
Abstract:
Nafion membranes as state-of-the-art commercial PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell) have a high chemical and mechanical stability, high proton conductivity at a lower temperature of 80 ℃ and high relative humidity. But, it faces some drawbacks when operating at a higher temperature fuel cell, as it lowers proton conductivity due to the membrane dehydrating. The incorporation of inorganic particles such as silica, titanium, zirconium, zirconium phosphate, etc. nanoparticles has been found to improve the thermal and mechanical stability and enhance water retention of commercial Nafion polymeric membranes at high temperatures and low relative humidity. In DMFC, Nafion membrane has high methanol crossover, which can be reduced by incorporating inorganic nanoparticles. The development of inorganic/organic nanocomposite membranes will be discussed.
Speaker Biography:
Dr. Mokrani is a research professor at the Institute for Catalysis and Energy Solutions(ICES), College of Science, Engineering and Technology at the University of South Africa (Unisa) and the head of the Fuel Cells Technology Platform from June 2024. Dr Mokrani is a co-founder of the institute. Dr. Mokrani completed a PhD in PEM Fuel Cell at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Cape Town in 2004. He joint Unisa in 2006 as senior lecturer, and escaled to full professor in 2019. Dr Mokrani published 75 articles in journals, 6 chapters in books, and 45 peer-reviewed conference proceedings. Dr. Mokrani graduated 20 Master nd PhD students in Chemical Engineering and mentored 10 PostDoc fellows. In 2026, Dr. Mokrani is supervising 8 PhD students, 4 masters and 2 hounors students and mentoring 6 PostDoc Fellows. Dr. Mokrani research interest are in the field of Hydrogen and Methanol Economy, including: Green Ammonia, methanol and DME systhesis from biomass, waste and green hydrogen production; Ammonia, methanol, ethanol and DME reforming to hydrogen; Hydrogen purification: WGSR and Prox; Fuel Cells: PEMFC and SOFC; Electrolysis: PEM Electrolyser, SOEC Electrolyser; Hydrogen storage; CCUS; Water treatment, Nanotechnology; etc.
