N-spirocyclic ammonium-functionalized graphene oxide-based anion exchange membrane for fuel cells. (31st July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Long, Chuan; Lu, Chuanrui; Li, Yunxi; Wang, Zhihua; Zhu, Hong
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 45:Number 38(2020)
• Page Start: 19778
• Page End: 19790
• Publication Date: 2020-07-31
• Subjects: Anion exchange membrane -- Graphene oxide -- Hydroxide conductivity -- Fuel cells -- Chemical modification; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.05.085
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Graphene oxide (GO) is a potential material in the electrode and membrane of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells due to its unique structure and various oxygen-containing functional groups. A class of three-layered GO/poly (phenylene oxide) for AEMs was prepared in this work. GO was functionalized with highly stable 6-azonia-spiro [5.5]undecane groups and used as a fast hydroxide conductor, named ASU-GO. Functionalized by N-spirocyclic cations, poly (phenylene oxide) (PIPPO) was then combined with ASU-GO and GO to fabricate the ASU-GO/PIPPO and GO/PIPPO. Notably, the maximum hydroxide conductivity of the ASU-GO/PIPPO was 73.7 mS cm −1 at 80 °C, which was 3 times higher than that of the GO/PIPPO. The enhancement in hydroxide conductivity was due to the changes in the hydroxide transport mechanism and the poor stacked structure of the ASU-GO layer. Only 10.8% drops in hydroxide conductivity of ASU-GP/PIPPO after the alkaline test (1 M KOH at 80 °C for 700 h). Furthermore, the ASU-GO/PIPPO-50 membrane showed a maximum peak power density of 102 mW cm −2, demonstrating the prepared membrane was promising in the AEM applications. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: N-spirocyclic ammonium-functionalized GO was prepared as fast ion conductor. A three-layered structure of anion exchange membrane was designed. The membrane exhibited 3 times higher OH − conductivity after functionalization. The membrane showed a maximum power density of 102 mW cm −2 .