Abstract
New proton conducting membranes based on sulfonated polysulfone (sPSU) reinforced with TiO2(B) nanowires (1, 2, 5 and 10 wt.%) were synthesized and characterized. TiO2(B) nanowires were synthesized by means of a hydrothermal method by mixing TiO2 precursor in aqueous solution of NaOH as solvent. The presence of the TiO2(B) nanowires into the polymer were confirmed by means of Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction. The thermal study showed an increase of almost 20 °C in the maximum temperature of sPSU backbone decomposition due to the presence of 10 wt.% TiO2(B) nanowires. Water uptake also is improved with the presence of hydrophilic TiO2(B) nanowires. Proton conductivity of sPSU with 10 wt.% TiO2(B) nanowires was 21 mS cm−1 (at 85 °C and 100% RH). Under these experimental conditions the power density was 350 mW cm−2 similar to the value obtained for Nafion 117. Considering all these obtained results, the composite membrane doped with 10 wt.% TiO2(B) nanowires is a promising candidate as proton exchange electrolyte in fuel cells (PEMFCs), especially those operating at high temperatures.
Highlights
Accepted: 18 June 2021Global warming produced by the combustion of fossil fuels together with the continuous increase in energy consumption is currently leading to a search for new, clean, and efficient ways of using energy
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are a promising and competitive energy source for portable, vehicular and stationary applications because they can produce high power densities working at low temperature conditions, low emissions and fast charge responses [1,2,3]
The sulfonation degree of PSU was evaluated by 1 H-NMR spectroscopy
Summary
Accepted: 18 June 2021Global warming produced by the combustion of fossil fuels together with the continuous increase in energy consumption is currently leading to a search for new, clean, and efficient ways of using energy. Green energy technologies such as solar cells, wind and hydro power, fuel cells or batteries, have recently attracted the attention of many researchers. All of these technologies are focused to overcome the problem of environmental contamination as well as the energy production and storage. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are a promising and competitive energy source for portable, vehicular and stationary applications because they can produce high power densities working at low temperature conditions, low emissions and fast charge responses [1,2,3]. Several alternative membranes based on thermostable aromatic polymers with
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