Synthesis and electrochemical properties of blend membranes of polysulfone and poly (acrylic acid-co-2-(2-(piperazin-1-yl) ethylamino)-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 43; no. 47; pp. 21760 - 21768
• Main Authors: Deepa, K., Kesava, M., Sureshkumar, R., Dinakaran, K., Arthanareeswaran, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 22.11.2018
• Subjects: Blend membrane; Methanol permeability; PEMFC; Piperazine containing the polymer; Polysulfone; Proton conductivity; Proton conductivity; PEMFC; Methanol permeability; Polysulfone; Piperazine containing the polymer; Blend membrane
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.07.075

In this work, new piperazine containing copolymer membrane was developed from acrylic acid and 2-(2-(piperazin-1-yl)ethylamino)-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate through free radical polymerization method by means of AIBN as an initiator, in bulk. The monomer feed ratio was varied to obtain various copolymers having a different composition. The developed copolymer was blended in polysulfone (PSF) at 3 and 6 wt% using N,N′-Dimethylformamide solvent. The FTIR spectra and 1H NMR spectral data have proved the presence of copolymer that has hydrophilic functional group which influences the better proton conductivity. The membranes were characterized by their morphology using scanning electron microscope and x-ray diffraction analysis. The hydrophilic nature of the membranes is proved through high water uptake ratio. The exchangeable proton at the carboxylic acid group has enhanced the high ion exchange capacity. The blend membranes have higher water uptake, low swelling rate and higher ion exchange capacity than that of neat PSF membrane. The fabrication of fuel cell and studies on proton exchange capacity indicates that the prepared membranes have proton conductivity of as high as 8.77 × 10−4 S cm−1. Low methanol crossover was obtained about 2.112 × 10−6 cm2s−1 when compared to the pristine membrane. [Display omitted] •The copolymer was blended with polysulfone for the synthesis of proton exchange membrane.•The membrane exhibited improved thermal characteristics, chemical stability.•The blended membrane showed high proton exchange capacity compared to neat polysulfone.