Improving the proton conductivity of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) membranes by incorporating a crystalline nanoassembly of trimesic acid and melamine. (4th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qu, Shuguo; Li, Minhui; Zhang, Chenchen; Duan, Jihai; Wang, Weiwen; Li, Jianlong; Li, Xiaojin
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 45:Number 54(2020)
• Page Start: 29883
• Page End: 29891
• Publication Date: 2020-11-04
• Subjects: Proton exchange membrane -- Sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) -- Trimesic acid and melamine nanoassembly -- Proton conductivity; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.06.074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: A novel proton exchange membrane was synthesized by embedding a crystalline which was nano-assembled through trimesic acid and melamine (TMA·M) into the matrix of the sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) to enhance the proton conductivity of the SPEEK membrane. Fourier transform infrared indicated that hydrogen bonds existed between SPEEK and TMA·M. XRD and SEM indicated that TMA·M was uniformly distributed within the matrix of SPEEK, and no phase separation occurred. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that this membrane could be applied as high temperature proton exchange membrane until 250 °C. The dimensional stability and mechanical properties of the composite membranes showed that the performance of the composite membranes is superior to that of the pristine SPEEK. Since TMA·M had a highly ordered nanostructure, and contained lots of hydrogen bonds and water molecules, the proton conductivity of the SPEEK/TMA·M-20% reached 0.00513 S cm −1 at 25 °C and relative humidity 100%, which was 3 times more than the pristine SPEEK membrane, and achieved 0.00994 S cm −1 at 120 °C. Highlights: A novel proton exchange membrane was synthesized by embedding TMA·M into SPEEK. TMA·M is a crystalline which was nano-assembled through trimesic acid and melamine. The proton conductivity of SPEEK/TMA·M-20% was 0.0513 S cm −1 at 25 °C and RH 100%. The proton conductivity of SPEEK/TMA·M-20% was 3 times that of the pristine SPEEK.