Abstract
A sol-gel method and an in situ method were used to synthesize organic-inorganic composite membranes based on poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES), phosphotungstic acid (PWA) containing sulfonic acid and amine groups. HPA is generally water soluble and causing a deterioration of cell performance. To solve this problem, PWA particles were functionalized with various silane compounds to enhance proton conductivity and to possess insoluble property in water. This study compares the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells with different preparation methods for the membrane and composite PWA-silica-SO3H particles. The optimum composition of PWA-silica-SO3H and effect of amine groups in SPAES composite membrane are determined on the basis of the mechanical properties, the behavior of water in the membrane, and the level of proton conductivity. The mechanical properties of the composite membrane prepared by sol-gel method were improved with the introduction of PWA-silica-SO3H particles. Also, the sol-gel composite membrane containing amine groups has higher levels of proton conductivity than the other composite membranes. An increase in the silica content of the PWA-silica sol-gel particles increases the ion conductivity because the inorganic component and the incorporation of PWA lead to a high concentration of functional.
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