Multi-component organic/inorganic blend proton exchange membranes based on sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s for fuel cells

Abstract

To enhance the dimensional and oxidative stability of highly sulfonated aromatic hydrocarbon polymer membrane is currently focused to replace expensive perfluorosulfonic acid membrane. Polyethersulfone (PES) and/or sulfonated TiO2 (sTiO2) nanoparticles as additives were incorporated into sulfonated poly(aryl ether sulfone) (SPAES) blend membrane to balance the proton conductivity and water swelling. The blend polymer matrix contained three SPAES copolymers with different degrees of sulfonation in a weight ratio of 1:2:2 and modified blend membranes were casted and characterized using spectroscopy, thermal and mechanical stability and electrical characterization techniques. PES acted as a compatibilizer and reinforcer, which enhanced the dimensional and mechanical stability, while sTiO2 improved the effective proton mobility and proton conductivity of the modified blend membranes. Considerably, to improve physicochemical stability and fuel cell performance were achieved in the blend system, especially B-SPAES/sTiO2 and B-SPAES/PES/sTiO2, which exhibited good fuel cell performance during short-term operation. They displayed a maximum power output of 667 and 620 mW cm−2, respectively at 80 °C and 100% RH. These results show that SPAES blend membranes made from multi-component blend system have good application prospects in fuel cells.