Polymeric proton conducting membranes for medium temperature fuel cells (110–160°C)

Abstract

The availability of stable polymeric membranes with good proton conductivity at medium temperatures is very important for the development of methanol PEM fuel cells. In view of this application, a systematic investigation of the conductivity of Nafion 117 and sulfonated polyether ether ketone (S-PEEK) membranes was performed as a function of relative humidity (r.h.) in a wide range of temperature (80–160°C). The occurrence of swelling/softening phenomena at high r.h. values prevented conductivity determinations above certain temperatures. Nevertheless, when r.h. was maintained at values lower than 80%, measurements were possible up to 160°C. The results showed that Nafion is a better proton conductor than S-PEEK at low r.h. values, especially at temperatures lower than 120°C. The differences in conductivity were, however, leveled out with the increasing r.h. and temperature. While at 100°C and 35% r.h. the conductivity of S-PEEK 2.48 was about 30 times lower than the conductivity of Nafion, both membranes reached a comparable conductivity (4×10 −2 S cm −1) at 160°C and 75% r.h. The effect of superacidity and crystallization of the polymers on the conductivity, as well as the possibility of using Nafion and S-PEEK membranes in medium temperature fuel cells, are discussed.