New series of organic–inorganic polymer nanocomposite membranes for fuel cell applications

Abstract

Flexible organic–inorganic polymer nanocomposite membranes with uniformly distributed metal oxide nanoparticles were prepared using sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) as a base material and praseodymium oxide (PSO) as an inorganic additive. The degree of sulfonation of SPEEK was determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and found to be 60%. The characteristic properties of the polymer nanocomposite membranes were examined by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, ion exchange capacity, water uptake ability, and proton conductivity. The incorporation of metal oxide into the polymer matrix was confirmed by scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses. The nanocomposite membrane exhibits good thermal stability when compared to that of the pristine membrane and SPEEK with 10 wt% of PSO loading was found to be stable up to 450°C. The assessment of polymer electrolyte membrane is accomplished by fabricating membrane electrode assemblies of pure SPEEK and SP-PSO-10 membranes and the latter produced maximum peak power density of 622 mW cm−2. The constructed SPEEK/PSO nanocomposite membranes offered superior physicochemical properties while applying these materials in an H2-O2 fuel cell.

Enhancing Physicochemical Properties and Single Cell Performance of Sulfonated Poly(arylene ether) (SPAE) Membrane by Incorporation of Phosphotungstic Acid and Graphene Oxide: A Potential Electrolyte for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

“…From Figure 9 , it can be observed that the water contact angle decreased from 72.67° to 61.55° as the PWA content of the membrane increased. This means that PWA in SPAE membranes combines with moisture to reduce surface strength and increase the moisture absorption capacity of the composite membrane [ 46 ]. In other words, the water contact angle is closely related to IEC, water uptake, and proton conductivity.…”

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone): efficient ion-exchange polymer electrolytes for fuel cell applications–a versatile review

“…Apart from this, a new metal oxide material praseodymium oxide (PSO) as an efficient inorganic additive impregnated with the SPEEK polymer possesses 60% DS reported by Gandhimathi et al . 65 IEC and water uptake values increased when compared with the pristine SPEEK membrane. The proton conductivity of the composite membrane SP–PSO-10 exhibited a value of 0.018 S cm −1 at 30 °C and 0.028 S cm −1 at 90 °C, which is higher than that of the SPEEK membrane.…”

“…have substantial impact on proton conductivity. Apart from this, a new metal oxide material praseodymium oxide (PSO) as an efficient inorganic additive impregnated with SPEEK polymer possesses 60% DS reported by Gandhimathi et al 65 . IEC and water uptake values were found to an increased when compared with pristine SPEEK membrane.…”

Novel cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol)-based electrolyte membranes for fuel cell applications

“…34 Via sulfonation, the water uptake ability and ionic conductivity of the PES polymer can be increased. 35 Sulfonated polymer electrolytes can be obtained by either the sulfonation of a base polymer 36,37 or the synthesis of a polymer using a pre-sulfonated monomer. 38,39 PVA-based electrolyte membranes exhibit good mechanical and chemical stabilities, which are adequate for their use in the preparation of polymer electrolyte membranes.…”