Abstract
A series of quaternary ammonium-functionalized polysulfones were successfully synthesized using a chloromethylation two-step method. In particular, triethylammonium and trimethylammonium polysulfone derivatives with different functionalization degrees from 60% to 150% were investigated. NMR spectroscopic techniques were used to determine the degree of functionalization of the polymers. The possibility to predict the functionalization degree by a reaction tool based on a linear regression was highlighted. Anionic membranes with a good homogeneity of thickness were prepared using a doctor-blade casting method of functionalized polymers. The chemical–physical data showed that ion exchange capacity, water content, and wettability increase with the increase of functionalization degree. A higher wettability was found for membranes prepared by the trimethylamine (TMA) quaternary ammonium group. A degree of functionalization of 100% was chosen for an electrochemical test as the best compromise between chemical–physical properties and mechanical stability. From anionic conductivity measurement a better stability was found for the triethylamine (TEA)-based membrane due to a lower swelling effect. A power density of about 300 mW/cm2 for the TEA-based sample at 60 °C in a H2/O2 fuel cell was found.
Highlights
The production of electricity through alternative and environmentally friendly sources is undoubtedly a main goal of global research [1]
Among the various types of developed fuel cells that require the use of hydrogen, alkaline fuel cells (AFCs) play a special role because they operate at lower temperatures compared to competitors, using non noble metals as electrocatalysts that reduce the cost of the system [5]
Alkaline membrane fuel cells (AMFC) are widely studied because of the availment of a solid polymer instead of alkaline solution employed as an electrolyte in AFCs, in order to reduce the loss of performance due to the carbonate crystals precipitation and to prevent the corrosion of the system [6,7]
Summary
The production of electricity through alternative and environmentally friendly sources is undoubtedly a main goal of global research [1]. Alkaline membrane fuel cells (AMFC) are widely studied because of the availment of a solid polymer instead of alkaline solution employed as an electrolyte in AFCs, in order to reduce the loss of performance due to the carbonate crystals precipitation and to prevent the corrosion of the system [6,7]. Anion exchange membranes (AEM) are designed to afford sufficient ions for ion exchange during electrochemical reactions in alkaline fuel cells [8,9,10,11,12]. PSU not an ionic conductor, so be it must be functionalized by insertion of cationic or anionic groups suitable synthetic steps. Density of about mW/cm about 300 mW/cm , higher than those reported in several papers
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