Novel cross-linked sulfonated poly (arylene ether ketone) membranes for direct methanol fuel cell

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 35; no. 5; pp. 2176 - 2182
• Main Authors: Zhao, Chengji, Lin, Haidan, Na, Hui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cross-linking; Crosslinking; 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; Ketones; Membranes; Methyl alcohol; Permeability; Poly (vinyl alcohol); Polyvinyl alcohols; Proton exchange membrane; Sulfonated poly (arylene ether ketone); Sulfonated poly (arylene ether ketone); Proton exchange membrane; Cross-linking; Poly (vinyl alcohol); Fuel cell; Relative humidity; Stability; Alcohol fuel cells; Infrared spectrometry; Polyvinylalcohol; Proton conductivity; Membrane; Ion exchange; Proton exchange; Methanol
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2009.12.149

To prepare a cross-linked proton exchange membrane with low methanol permeability and high proton conductivity, poly (vinyl alcohol) is first blended with sulfonated poly (arylene ether ketone) bearing carboxylic acid groups (SPAEK-C) and then heated to induce a cross-linking reaction between the carboxyl groups in SPAEK-C and the hydroxyl groups in PVA. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is used to characterize and confirm the structure of SPAEK-C and the cross-linked membranes. The proton conductivity of the cross-linked membrane with 15% PVA in weight reaches up to 0.18 S cm −1 at 80 °C (100% relative humidity), which is higher than that of Nafion membrane, while the methanol permeability is nearly five times lower than Nafion. The ion-exchange capacity, water uptake and thermal stability are investigated to confirm their applicability in fuel cells.