Inclusion of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) crystals within porous polyether sulfone (PES) via filtration methods as potential electrolytes for DMFC applications. (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Junoh, H.; Jaafar, J.; Nordin, N.A.H.M.; Ismail, A.F.; Othman, M.H.D.; Rahman, M.A.; Yusof, N.; Aziz, F.
• Is Part Of: Materials today. Volume 46:Part 5(2021)
• Page Start: 1843
• Page End: 1847
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: Zeolitic imidazolate framework 8 -- Polyether sulfone -- Direct methanol fuel cell -- Proton conductivity -- Methanol permeability -- Water uptake -- Filtration -- Nafion®; Materials science -- Congresses -- Periodicals; 620.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.12.1185
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7853

Abstract

Abstract: The imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) crystals were synthesized by in -situ growth techniques inside the pore of porous poly ether sulfone (PES) in order to fabricate a composite PES/ZIF-8 electrolyte membrane for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. In situ techniques by adapting the filtration method was adhered in this study. It was found that the proton conductivity (17.9 × 10 −3 Scm −1 ) was drastically increased for PES/ZIF-8 as compared to pristine PES membrane (0.21 × 10 −3 Scm −1 ). However, the methanol barrier property was slightly decreased from 2.07 × 10 −7 cm 2 s −1 to 3.88 × 10 −7 cm 2 s −1 for PES and PES/ZIF-8 membranes, respectively. The introduction of ZIF-8 in PES membranes not only improve proton conductivity, but also positively affected the mechanical stability of PES/ZIF-8 with 1.73-fold lower of swelling ratio even though the water uptake increased by 2.08 folds. In spite of the increment in methanol permeability, selectivity of PES/ZIF-8 membrane was 6 folds and 2 folds higher than pristine PES and Nafion®, respectively which indicated that the potential for PES/ZIF-8 to be a good candidate for electrolyte in DMFC applications. Nonetheless, via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a good distribution of ZIF-8 crystals inside the pore of PES membranes which proven that the effectiveness of filtration techniques for ZIF-8 crystals in-situ growth synthesized within the pores.