Abstract
A novel sulfonated diamine was synthesized from 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy) benzene [pBAB]. Sulfonated polyimides (SPIs) were synthesized from sulfonated pBAB, 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy-2-sulfonic acid) benzenesulfonic acid [pBABTS], various diamines and aromatic dianhydrides. Composite proton exchange membranes (PEMs) made of novel SPIs and a protic ionic liquid (PIL) 1-vinyl-3-H-imidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate [VIm][OTf] showed substantially increased conductivity. We prepared an SPI/PIL composite PEM using pBABTS, 4,4′-(9-fluorenylidene) dianiline (9FDA) as diamine, 3,3′,4,4′-diphenylsulfone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (DSDA) as dianhydride and 40 wt % [VIm][OTf] with a high conductivity of 16 mS/cm at 120 °C and anhydrous condition. pBABTS offered better conductivity, since the chemical structure had more sulfonated groups that provide increased conductivity. The new composite membrane could be a promising anhydrous or low-humidity PEM for intermediate or high-temperature fuel cells.
Highlights
The proton exchange membrane (PEM), a crucial component of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), serves as a medium for conducting protons from the anode to the cathode, acts as a separator of gaseous reactants, and determines the efficiency of PEMFCs [1]
We studied the effect of various diamines on the conductivity of PEMs made from pBABTS
We investigated the conductivities of Sulfonated polyimides (SPIs)/protic ionic liquid (PIL) prepared from a sulfonated diamine ODADS in recent studies [13,14]
Summary
The proton exchange membrane (PEM), a crucial component of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), serves as a medium for conducting protons from the anode to the cathode, acts as a separator of gaseous reactants, and determines the efficiency of PEMFCs [1]. PEMFCs have been shown to exhibit effective and high-energy conversion, high proton conductivities, and excellent energy density, and have become an attractive power source for automotive, stationary, and mobile power applications [2]. Perfluorosulphonic acid-based membranes such as Nafion® (DuPont) have been widely used for the polymer electrolytes of PEMFCs. Nafion PEM has elicited great interest because it exhibits high combined chemical, electrochemical, and mechanical stability with high proton conductivity at ambient temperatures. Nafion PEM is associated with high costs, serious methanol crossover, and loss of conductivity at temperatures higher than 80 °C and at low relative humidity [3]. The development of alternative PEMs that are more cost-effective than perfluorinated ionomers and can be employed over a wider temperature range with high proton conductivity have been extensively studied as polymer electrolytes for PEMFCs [3,4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
