Novel Proton Conducting Membranes from the Combination of Sulfonated Polymers of Polyetheretherketones and Polyphosphazenes Doped with Sulfonated Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

Intent on developing efficient proton exchange membranes used for direct methanol fuel cells as well as hydrogen fuel cells, a series of membranes based on sulfonated polyetheretherketone and sulfonated polyphosphazene‐graft copolymers is prepared by cross‐linking reaction because the former material has good enough mechanical property, while the latter is excellent in the proton transfer. The cross‐linked membranes combine the advantages of the two kinds of polymers. Among them, the membrane poly[(4‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)(4‐methylphenoxy)phosphazene]‐g‐poly {(styrene)11‐r‐[4‐(4‐sulfobutyloxy)styrene]33‐sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)75 (CF3‐PS11‐PSBOS33‐SPEEK75) shows a proton conductivity at 0.143 S cm−1 under fully hydrated conditions at 80 °C and performs tensile strength about five times as much as did the sulfonated polyphosphazene membrane CF3‐PS11‐PSBOS33. Further doping of sulfonated single‐walled carbon nanotubes (S‐SWCNTs) into the cross‐linked membranes on the screening of additives gives composite membrane CF3‐PS11‐PSBOS33‐SPEEK75‐SWCNT possessing proton conductivity of 0.196 S cm−1, even higher than that of Nafion 117 and a tensile strength comparable to that of Nafion 117. However, this significance of the composite membrane in the proton conduction is not observed in the test with a H2/air fuel cell when it shows a maximal power density of 280 mW cm−2 at 80 °C, whereas 294 mW cm−2 is observed for CF3‐PS11‐PSBOS33‐SPEEK75.

Application of polypyrrole-based adsorbents in the removal of fluoride: a review

“…As pure polymers and inorganic hosts, polymer composites with larger surface area and shorter diffusion route lengths have good adsorption capabilities. 43,44,72 2.4.1 Polypyrrole/common metallic oxide composites. PPy/ metallic oxide nanocomposites in various forms, sizes, and shapes have recently been employed for the adsorption of uoride ions from wastewater or an aqueous solution.…”

Amelioration in physicochemical properties and single cell performance of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) block copolymer composite membrane using sulfonated carbon nanotubes for intermediate humidity fuel cells

“…The fabricated membranes exhibited improved H + conductivity and mechanical properties compared with their single components. 11 Vinothkannan et al fabricated an aligned quadratic composite membrane based on SPEEK/fluorinated poly(arylene propane biphenyl) (FPAPB) using Fe 3 O 4 anchored on functionalized graphene oxide as the inorganic additive. The composite membranes exhibited excellent H + conductivity, mechanical strength, and single cell performance at low humidity.…”

“…Luo et al fabricated cross‐linked membranes based on sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and sulfonated polyphosphazene with sulfonated carbon nanotubes (SCNTs) as the filler for PEMFCs operated at reduced humidity (50% RH). The fabricated membranes exhibited improved H + conductivity and mechanical properties compared with their single components . Vinothkannan et al fabricated an aligned quadratic composite membrane based on SPEEK/fluorinated poly(arylene propane biphenyl) (FPAPB) using Fe 3 O 4 anchored on functionalized graphene oxide as the inorganic additive.…”

Effect of the Sulfated Zirconia Nanostructure Characteristics on Physicochemical and Electrochemical Properties of SPEEK Nanocomposite Membranes for PEM Fuel Cell Applications

“…Due to the fact that pristine SPEEK suffers from major drawbacks at higher temperatures, that is, above 100 °C, the fillers are introduced into polymeric matrix to overcome them . For instance, numerous additives such as zeolite, aluminum oxide, single‐walled carbon nanotubes, and zirconium oxide were embedded into SPEEK matrix and possessed great properties. Besides, Du et al studied the compatibility of silica sulfuric acid (SSA) particles with SPEEK by fabricating a series of SSA/SPEEK membranes.…”