Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Cu(II) complex anion exchange membranes prepared using chemical fiber for direct methanol fuel cells

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 130; no. 2; pp. 1172 - 1178
• Main Authors: Xu, Pei Yu, Zhao, Chun Hui, Liu, Qing Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, NJ Blackwell Publishing Ltd 15.10.2013; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Anion exchanging; Applied sciences; composites; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Fibers; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fuel cells; Materials science; Membranes; Methyl alcohol; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; Polyvinyl alcohols; Surface tension; Swelling; Technology of polymers; films; Transport properties; Swelling; Electrical properties; Ionic conductivity; Alcohol fuel cells; Crosslinking; Transition metal Complexes; Experimental study; Polyvinylalcohol; composites; membranes; Copper II Complexes; Morphology; Concentration effect; Crosslinked polymer; Anion exchange membrane; Liquid permeability
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.39294

ABSTRACT PVA/Cu (II) complex anion exchange membranes (AEMs) were prepared for direct methanol fuel cells. The complex was for the first time used as membrane material of AEMs. Glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking agent was introduced to control water uptake and swelling of the membranes. The membranes with thickness of 1 μm were fabricated using chemical fibers based on the solution surface tension. The complex membranes show good ionic conductivity and low methanol permeability in the magnitude of 10−2 S · cm−1 and 10−7 cm−2 · S−1, respectively. This is a facile, efficient, green, and fast way to prepare new AEMs for direct methanol fuel cells. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1172‐1178, 2013 PVA/Cu(II) complex anion exchange membranes in thickness of 1 μm are prepared using chemical fibers based on the solution surface tension.