Semi-interpenetrating Network Membrane from Polyethyleneimine-Epoxy Resin and Polybenzimidazole for HT-PEM Fuel Cells

Abstract

In the present work, a semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) high-temperature proton exchange membrane based on polyethyleneimine (PEI), epoxy resin (ER), and polybenzimidazole (PBI) was prepared and characterized, aiming at their future application in fuel cell devices. The physical properties of the semi-IPN membrane are characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and tensile strength test. The results indicate that the as-prepared PEI-ER/PBI semi-IPN membranes possess excellent thermal stability and mechanical strength. After phosphoric acid (PA) doping treatment, the semi-IPN membranes show high proton conductivities. PA doping level and volume swelling ratio as well as proton conductivities of the semi-IPN membranes are found to be positively related to the PEI content. High proton conductivities of 3.9 ∽ 7.8 × 10 − 2 S c m − 1 are achieved at 160°C for these PA-doped PEI-ER/PBI series membranes. H2/O2 fuel cell assembled with PA-doped PEI-ER(1 : 2)/PBI membrane delivered a peak power density of 170 mW cm-2 at 160°C under anhydrous conditions.

Roles of Small Polyetherimide Moieties on Thermal Stability and Fracture Toughness of Epoxy Blends

“…(1 − a/W) 3/2 (9) where P (N), a (mm), W, and B are the critical load, crack length, width, and thickness of the specimen, respectively. Moreover, f (a/W) is the geometric element obtained from Equation (7).…”

“…Since the term of “IPN” was first introduced by John Millar in 1960, various studies have reported about IPN-based epoxy systems incorporating thermoplastic polymers, such as polysurfone (PSF), polyethersulfone (PES), polycarbonate (PC), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyetherimide (PEI), and have demonstrated the enhancement in mechanical properties (i.e., fracture toughness) of epoxy resins [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Hydrogen bond-dominated polybenzimidazole semi-interpenetrating network membranes for alkaline water electrolysis

“…Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (sIPNs) are considered to be cross-linked polymer networks interspersed with linear polymers. 32,33 This property endows the polymer network with enhanced stability due to cross-linking. Zhong et al 34 improved the mechanical strength of anion exchange resins through a polyacrylic/phenolic interpenetrating polymer network.…”

Polybenzimidazole-Based Semi-Interpenetrating Proton Exchange Membrane with Enhanced Stability and Excellent Performance for High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

“…Semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) structure, which is well-defined as composite polymers composed of a linear polymer entrapped within a polymer network, − has been demonstrated as an effective approach to enhance dimensional stability and the mechanical properties of PEMs . Pu et al studied semi-IPN PEMs based on Nafion and p -vinylbenzyl chloride cross-linked PBI.…”