Facile construction of a highly proton-conductive matrix-mixed membrane based on a –SO3H functionalized polyamide. Issue 29 (18th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Afzal, Jamal; Fu, Yaomei; Luan, Tian-Xiang; Zhang, Deshan; Li, Yangyang; Li, Hailian; Cheng, Ke; Su, Zhongmin; Li, Pei-Zhou
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 18:Issue 29(2022)
• Page Start: 5518
• Page End: 5523
• Publication Date: 2022-07-18
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/d2sm00451h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : Utilizing the simple reaction of polymeric acylation with the sulfonated module as a precursor, a low-cost and highly efficient proton-conductive electrolyte was synthesized in a facile manner and investigated as a proton-conductive matrix-mixed membrane. Abstract : Developing a facile strategy to construct low-cost and efficient proton-conductive electrolytes is pivotal in the practical application of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Herein, a polyamide with in-built –SO3 H moieties, PA(PhSO3 H)2, was synthesized via a simple one-pot polymeric acylation process. Investigations via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed that the fabricated PA(PhSO3 H)2 displays a proton conductivity of up to 5.54 × 10 −2 S cm −1 at 353 K under 98% relative humidity (RH), which is more than 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of its –SO3 H-free analogue PA(Ph)2 (2.38 × 10 −4 S cm −1 ) under the same conditions. Therefore, after mixing with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) at different ratios, PA(PhSO3 H)2 -based matrix-mixed membranes were subsequently made and the analysis results revealed that the proton conductivity can reach up to 5.82 × 10 −2 S cm −1 at 353 K and 98% RH when the weight ratio of PA(PhSO3 H)2 : PAN is in 3 : 1 (labeled as PA(PhSO3 H)2 –PAN (3 : 1 )), the value of which is comparable even to those of commercially available electrolytes that are used in PEM fuel cells. In addition, continuous testing shows that PA(PhSO3 H)2 –PAN (3 : 1 ) possesses long-life reusability. This work demonstrates that, utilizing the simple reaction of polymeric acylation with a sulfonated module as a precursor, highly effective proton-conductive membranes for PEM fuel cells can be achieved in a facile manner.