State of the art and prospects in the development of proton‐conducting perfluorinated membranes with short side chains: A review

Abstract

The review is devoted to key problems in the development of modern proton‐conducting membranes for hydrogen power assuming its progress for using in fuel cells working at enhanced temperatures without catalysts poisoning and providing stable high proton conductivity and improved mechanical properties. Modern trends in the synthesis approaches such as application of emulsion polymerization and novel efforts for the modification of polymer membranes by chemically stable nanoparticles, carrying protons, are discussed as compared to commercially used membrane materials such as Nafion and Aquivion. The crucial role of advanced structural methods to recognize subtle features of molecular ordering and formation of conducting channels in membranes is considered, focusing on neutron scattering as the most powerful instrument for the analysis of ionomers and other nanoscale structures by means of selective isotopic contrasting structural elements in membrane materials. The integration of novel methods of emulsion polymerization and use of nanodiamonds and other nanoparticles embedded into polymer matrices is prospective in the creation of new generations of membrane materials with higher functional properties.

Evaluation of properties and performance of poly(ether sulfone ketone) membranes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

“…Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) as efficient and low‐emission devices are the subject of many research activities to replace combustion engines and generate electrical energy during the past three decades 1–5 . Perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers are state‐of‐the‐art membranes for commercial PEMFCs 6 . PFSAs are preferred membranes because of their excellent performance and superior thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties in the fuel cell environment.…”

Orientational uniaxial stretching of proton conducting perfluorinated membranes

“…The composition of side chains of copolymer was also varied, resulting in preparation of Aqiuvion ® membrane, having shorter side chains and significant advantages over Nafion ® membranes for the use in FC at increased working temperatures. [1][2][3][4][5] In recent years, the task of many researchers is to improve the characteristics of perfluorinated ion-exchange membranes for the use in various types of FC and to optimize their main properties by introducing various modifying additives increasing the physical-mechanical, electrochemical and diffusion properties of compositional membranes. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Another way to optimize the membranes' properties is the directed regulation of the internal structure of such materials.…”

“…To optimize the operating properties, various changes in copolymer composition were performed, resulting in finding the optimal range of equivalent weight (EW) of Nafion® membranes, being a characteristic of hydrophilic sulfonic acid groups frequency in hydrophobic polymer matrix. The composition of side chains of copolymer was also varied, resulting in preparation of Aqiuvion® membrane, having shorter side chains and significant advantages over Nafion® membranes for the use in FC at increased working temperatures 1–5 . In recent years, the task of many researchers is to improve the characteristics of perfluorinated ion‐exchange membranes for the use in various types of FC and to optimize their main properties by introducing various modifying additives increasing the physical‐mechanical, electrochemical and diffusion properties of compositional membranes 6–12 .…”

Novel hydroxyl‐containing and thermo‐dehydrocyclizable polycondensation polymers for multifunctional materials: Synthesis, properties, application

“…The important features include ability of a polymer for intramolecular and intermolecular interactions (due to the presence of electron donor and electron acceptor atoms) and free volume of a polymer. The prominent examples of polymers capable of microphase separation are sulfated fluoroolefins 7–11 or polysaccharides, 12 sulfated polyimides intended for various purposes 6 . Another promising approach is the introduction of hydrophilic fragments with active hydroxyl groups into aromatic polyimides containing extended rigid hydrophobic domains, as well as heat treatment of hydroxyl‐containing polyimide materials at high temperatures, which leads to unique structural and chemical changes in the polymer backbone and side groups.…”