Evaluation of new conducting polymeric membrane based on sulfonation of compatibilized NR/EPDM blend

Abstract

In this study, research was undertaken to obtain new conducting polymer blend membrane based on compatibilized natural rubber/ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (NR/EPDM) by using different compatibilizers. To utilize them as membranes in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, the blend membranes become conducting by sulfonation reaction, which inserts À ÀSO 3 H groups into the macromolecular chain. The polymer blend membrane ratio (50/50), which was compatibilized by polyacrylonitrile compound was selected among the entire blend studied (A6), with the aim of determining its conductivity and water and methanol permeabilities. The degree of compatibility of NR/EPDM blend was improved by the use of polyacrylonitrile com-pounds as compatibilizers. The effect of these compounds on the compatibility of blend was evaluated by ultrasonic spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, DSC. It was found that a good compatibility has been achieved by using polyacrylonitrile because of the nitrile groups. When the polymer blend membrane (A6) was sulfonated with À ÀSO 3 H groups good perspectives were shown regarding the methanol and water permeabilities and physical properties comparing to the commercial Nafion one.

Microstructure, mechanical, and rheological properties of natural rubber/ethylene propylene diene monomer nanocomposites reinforced by multi‐wall carbon nanotubes

“…As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, in dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) curves for NR/EPDM blend and its nanocomposites, one drop in storage modulus and one tan d peak versus temperature have appeared, that also observed in other studies [37,38],which can be due to overlapping of the T g on NR and EPDM phases in blend.…”

Recent Development of Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Fuel Cells

“…Many researchers are interested in hydrocarbon polymers with an aliphatic main chain for PEMs. However, this kind of PEM is mainly used for low-temperature PEMFC or DMFC due to the inferior oxidative stability of these aliphatic main-chain hydrocarbon polymers. − The frequently used aliphatic main-chain hydrocarbon polymers include varieties of styrene-based block copolymers, CS, poly­(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and so on. To enhance mechanical strength, methanol barrier, or proton conductivity, these polymers often require doping with inorganic proton-conducting moieties, blending with polymer pairs, or forming into IPNs.…”