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This study proposes a novel sepiolite-based Aquivion electrolyte membrane which could be operated at low relative humidity. In the study, it was discovered that the functionalization of sepiolite with fluorinated groups (i.e.,-C 7 F 15), named SEP-F, helps its dispersion in the composite membrane, compared with the use of natural sepiolite. The Aquivion/SEP-F composite membrane showed increased water uptake, thermo-mechanical and chemical stability as well as proton conductivity and decreased swelling compared with commercially available Nafion HP and pristine Aquivion. Their behavior in single cell MEA testing conditions was also assessed. Aquivion/SEP-F composite membrane can be an interesting alternative for low relative humidity operation of PEMFC (proton exchange membrane fuel cell).

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Anion exchange membranes were synthesized from different compositions of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC), with constant content of divinyl benzene (DVB) by radical polymerization using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) on non-woven polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. Polymerized membranes were then quaternized by soaking in trimethylamine (TMA), triethylamine (TEA), tripropylamine (TPA), and 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2] octane (DABCO). Characteristics of membranes were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water uptake, ion exchange capacity, ion conductivity, thermal, and alkaline stability. The results revealed that membranes quaternized by TPA and DABCO showed high affinity when GMA content was 15 wt% and 75 wt%, respectively. IEC and ion conductivity of membranes quaternized by TPA were 1.34 meq·g (at 60 °C), respectively. The results indicate that the membrane containing GMA 15 wt% quaternized by TPA showed the highest thermal stability among membranes and exhibited high ion conductivity compared to existing researches using GMA, VBC, and DVB monomers.