Molecular weight controlled sulfonated Poly(Arylene Ether)s and sulfonated Poly(Ether Ether ketone) polymer blends for fuel cell applications

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 48; no. 85; pp. 33297 - 33314
• Main Authors: Seden, Merve G., Baştürk, Emre, İnan, Tülay Y., Apohan, Nilhan K., Güngör, Atilla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2023
• Subjects: Blend membrane; Controlled-molecular weight; DMFC; PEMFC; poly(arylene ether); PEMFC; Controlled-molecular weight; poly(arylene ether); DMFC; Blend membrane
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.05.069

We synthesized molecular weight-controlled and fluorine-containing PAEs (MWCPAEs) using decafluorobiphenyl (DFBP), 2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane (Bis A), and 2,2-Bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane (Bis AF). Later, commercially available PEEK and the MWCPAEs were sulfonated (SPEEK and SMWCPAE) and blended to fabricate blend membranes (BMs). All BMs have been prepared by solution casting method in 5 wt%-20 wt% concentrations using N,N-dimethylacetamide. The effects of chemical structures, sulfonation levels, MW and compositions on the membrane properties are discussed. We obtained miscible and mechanically compatible BMs. The highest proton conductivity (238.9 mS/cm) was determined for SPEEK70/S-DFBP-Bis-A based blend membrane (Mw: 48.355, 5wt. %). All chemical, mechanical, thermal, and hydrolytic properties of the BMs are comparable with, or better than, that of Nafion. We suggest that designing polymeric structures with desired MWs and sulfonation levels may enable enhanced properties and can help to design materials with on demand properties. [Display omitted] •Molecular weights controlled Poly (arylene ether)s has been synthesized and sulfonated.•The blend membranes we prepared are miscible and mechanically compatible.•The proton conductivity value up to 238.9 mS/cm has been obtained.•BMs properties are comparable with, or better than, that of Nafion.•The membranes are suitable for PEMFC and DMFC applications.