Quaternized poly (2.6 dimethyl – 1.4 phenylene oxide)/Polysulfone anion exchange membrane reinforced with graphene oxide for methanol alkaline fuel cell application

Abstract

Composite anion exchange membranes (AEM) based on quaternized poly (phenylene) oxide and polysulfone blend (QPPO/PSF) were successfully fabricated and characterized for methanol alkaline fuel cell application. To make a composite AEM, increasing graphene oxide (GO) wt.% ratios was introduced in the polymer blend. The membrane properties were enhanced by the addition of GO in comparison to the bare QPPO/PSF blend. The addition of GO resulted to a higher ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 3.21 mmol.g−1 and an ion conductivity increase of up to 63.67 mS.cm−1 at 80 °C. The QPPO/PSF/2%GO composite membrane reached a peak power density of 112 mW.cm−2, which is about five (5) times more than the parent QPPO membrane at room temperature. The above results indicate that QPPO/PSF/GO is a good candidate as an anion exchange membrane for alkaline fuel cell application.