Macromolecule sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone) crosslinked poly(4, 4′-diphenylether-5, 5′-bibenzimidazole) proton exchange membranes: Broaden the temperature application range and enhanced mechanical properties. (10th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Jierui; Xiao, Yiming; Zhang, Lei; Xiang, Jun; Tang, Na; Cheng, Penggao; Zhang, Jianping; Wang, Songbo; Du, Wei
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 46:Number 55(2021)
• Page Start: 28246
• Page End: 28257
• Publication Date: 2021-08-10
• Subjects: Macromolecular crosslinker -- Polybenzimidazole -- Proton exchange membrane -- Hydrophilic-hydrophobic channels -- Wide temperature range; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.06.055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Proton exchange membranes with a wide application temperature range were fabricated to start high-temperature fuel cells under room temperature. The volume swelling stability, oxidative stability as well as mechanical properties of crosslinked membranes have been improved for covalently crosslinking poly(4, 4′-diphenylether-5, 5′-bibenzimidazole) (OPBI) with fluorine-terminated sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (F-SPEEK) via N-substitution reactions. High proton conductivity was simultaneously realized at both high (80–160 °C) and low (40–80 °C) temperatures by crosslinking and jointly constructing hydrophilic-hydrophobic channels. The crosslinked membranes exhibited the highest proton conductivity of 191 mS cm −1 at 80 °C under 98% relative humidity (RH) and 38 mS cm −1 at 160 °C under anhydrous, respectively. Compared with OPBI membrane, the fuel cell performance of the crosslinked membranes showed higher peak power density at full temperature range (40–160 °C). Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Macromolecule SPEEK cross-linked OPBI membranes were fabricated. OPBI-SPEEKs support HT-PEMFC to start under room temperature. Mechanical property and volume swelling stability were enhanced with cross-linking. OPBI-SPEEKs obtained high proton conductivity in a wide temperature range. The OPBI-30% SPEEK membrane showed higher power density at all temperatures.