Polymer Electrolyte Composite Membrane Based on Molecular Sieve 13X Mixed with Sulfonated Poly(ether ketone ether sulfone)/Poly(phenylene ether ether sulfone) Blended Membrane for Use in Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Abstract

AbstractBlend membranes between sulfonated poly(ether ketone ether sulfone) (S‐PEKES) and poly(phenylene ether ether sulfone) (PPEES) were fabricated at various mole ratios. Interestingly, increasing the hydrophobic PPEES in S‐PEKES/PPEES blend membranes led to the decreases in water uptake (%) when compared to S‐PEKES. Incorporation of molecular sieve 13X drastically improved proton conductivity. Methanol permeability slightly decreased with molecular sieve 13X. The composite membrane with the 15% v/v molecular sieve 13X content showed the highest proton conductivity of 1.44 × 10−2 S/cm which is four times higher than Nafion 117. Thus, the blending between S‐PEKES and PPEES can help to decrease methanol permeability, and incorporating molecular sieve 13X can enhance proton conductivity.