Single cell performance and electrochemical characterization of photocrosslinked and post-sulfonated SEBS-DVB membranes. (10th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: del Río, C.; García, O.; Morales, E.; Escribano, P.G.
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 176(2015)
• Page Start: 378
• Page End: 387
• Publication Date: 2015-09-10
• Subjects: proton exchange membrane -- sulfonated SEBS -- photocrosslinking -- proton conductivity -- single cell performance; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2015.07.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Highlights: Photocrosslinked and post-sulfonated (SEBS-DVB) membranes were successfully prepared Membranes with 25%DVB showed reduced water swelling and improved ionic conductivity A change in morphology was observed with increasing DVB content and irradiation time Hydrogen and electronic crossover are negligible in all cases Best cell performance was reported for s(SEBS-DVB 75-25) irradiated for 15 minutes ABSTRACT: This work describes the preparation of UV photocrosslinked and post-sulfonated s(SEBS-DVB) membranes for their use as proton exchange membranes (PEM). Photocrosslinking is chosen as a useful method to reduce water uptake and enhance the dimensional stability while post-sulfonation reaction prevents the possibility of sulfonic groups may photocrosslink between different molecules. The experimental membranes are evaluated and compared with pristine sSEBS in terms of IEC, swelling ratio (in water and chloroform), FTIR-ATR and thermal properties (TGA, DSC). Morphology is investigated using SEM and AFM. The membranes are fitted into single cells and electrochemically characterized in order to determine in situ through-plane proton conductivity, hydrogen crossover and cell performance at 80 °C, atmospheric pressure and 100% relative humidity. The effects exerted by crosslinkable agent amount (DVB) and irradiation time are examined. Thus, s(SEBS-DVB 75-25) irradiated for 15 minutes highlights significantly from the rest, reaching a maximum current density of about 2300 mAcm −2 and a maximum power density greater than 700 mWcm −2 while these values for sSEBS are 1700 mAcm −2 and 478 mWcm −2, respectively. The results indicate that photocrosslinking and post-sulfonation are effective approaches to reduce the problem of excessive water swelling in membranes based on sSEBS and to endue a good performance.