Abstract
The introduction of inorganic additive or nanoparticles into fluorine-free proton exchange membranes (PEMs) can improve proton conductivity and have considerable effects on the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Based on the sol–gel method and in situ polycondensation, novel cross-linked PEM and nanocomposite PEMs based on a sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU) matrix were prepared by introducing graphene oxide (GO) polymeric brushes and incorporating Pt-TiO2 nanoparticles into an SPSU matrix, respectively. The results showed that the incorporation of Pt-TiO2 nanoparticles could obviously enhance self-humidifying and thermal stability. In addition, GO polymer brushes fixed on polymeric PEM by forming a cross-linked network structure could not only solve the leakage of inorganic additives during use and compatibility problem with organic polymers, but also significantly improve proton conductivity and reduce methanol permeability of the nanocomposite PEM. Proton conductivity, water uptake and methanol permeability of the nanocomposite PEM can be up to 6.93 mS cm−1, 46.58% and be as low as 1.4157 × 10−6 cm2 s−1, respectively, which represent increases of about 70%, about 22% and a decrease of about 40%, respectively, compared with that of primary SPSU. Therefore, the synergic action of the covalent cross-linking, GO polymer brush and nanoparticles can significantly and simultaneously improve the overall performance of the composite PEM.
Highlights
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) are considered as the “heart” of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), and its properties impact heavily on the performance, cost and even lifespan of PEMFC [1–5]
graphene oxide (GO) and Pt-TiO2 nanoparticles in order to solve the leakage of the inorganic additives and overcome the trade-off effect between proton conductivity and moisturizing property
Based on introducing GO polymer brushes as an inorganic additive and incorporating Pt-TiO2 nanoparticles fixed on polymeric PEM by forming cross-linked network structure, novel cross-linked PEM and nanocomposite PEMs with high performance and self-humidifying were prepared to solve leakage of inorganic additives during use and compatibility problem with organic polymers
Summary
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) are considered as the “heart” of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), and its properties impact heavily on the performance, cost and even lifespan of PEMFC [1–5]. Perfluorosulfonic acid polymers such as Nafion are the most widely accepted and commercialized membranes to date that are used as PEM. Sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU) PEM, which are known as one of the most promising PEM without containing fluorine, are being widely studied because of excellent mechanical properties, good film-forming ability and low cost [12–15]. The thermal stability, chemical stability, water retention capacity and proton conductivity of the sulfonated polysulfone PEM should be further enhanced because of the low dissociation ability between carbon bonds and hydrogen bonds [16,17]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
