Stability enhancement of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells based on a sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composite membrane

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 196; no. 5; pp. 2483 - 2489
• Main Authors: Sung, Kyung A, Kim, Wan-Keun, Oh, Keun-Hwan, Choo, Min-Ju, Nam, Kwan-Woo, Park, Jung-Ki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.03.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Composite membrane; Dimensional stability; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrolytes; Electrolytic cells; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Ethers; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cell; Fuel cells; Humidity cycle test; Hydration; Materials; Membranes; Polyvinylidene fluorides; Porous substrate; Proton conductivity; Stability; Proton conductivity; Humidity cycle test; Dimensional stability; Porous substrate; Fuel cell; Composite membrane; Polymer electrolytes; Polymer solid electrolyte; Polyetheretherketone; Porous material; Composite material; Sulfonate polymer; Vinylidene fluoride polymer; Humidity; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.10.108

▶ The composite membranes employing a porous PVdF substrate and sPEEK electrolyte are prepared. ▶ The composite membrane exhibits a substantial reduction in water uptake and dimensional change. ▶ The cell using the composite membrane shows enhanced stability during humidity cycling. Most proton-conducting membranes based on sulfonated aromatic polymers exhibit significant dimensional change by hydration, and this leads to degradation of fuel cell performance on prolonged operation. In this study, as a means of improving the stability of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, composite membranes employing a porous poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) substrate and sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (sPEEK) electrolyte are prepared and their hydration behaviours, including water uptake and dimensional change, are examined. The electrochemical characteristics of membrane/electrode assemblies using the sPEEK/PVdF composite membrane are also analyzed. The initial cell performance is comparable with that of a cell based on a pure sPEEK membrane. Furthermore, the stability of the cell using the sPEEK/PVdF composite membrane is considerably improved during a humidity cycle test wherein hydration and dehydration are periodically repeated.