Composite membranes based on a novel benzimidazole grafted PEEK and SPEEK for fuel cells

Hongtao Li, Gang Zhang, Wenjia Ma, Chengji Zhao, Yang Zhang, Miaomiao Han, Jing Zhu, Zhongguo Liu, Jing Wu, Hui Na

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK, IEC = 2.07 mequiv.g-1) have been synthesized via nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction. Bromomethylated poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK-Br) is then prepared and reacted with 2-benzimidazolethiol to obtain the benzimidazole grafted poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK-BI). The structures of PEEK-Br and PEEK-BI are characterized by 1H NMR spectra. Composite membranes based on SPEEK and PEEK-BI are prepared and their properties used for fuel cells are studied in detail. The results show that the composite membranes exhibit greatly improved mechanical properties as well as reduced water uptake and methanol permeability compared with the pristine SPEEK membrane. The increased oxidative stability and selectivity indicate that the composite membranes are promising to be used as proton exchange membranes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11172-11179
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume35
Issue number20
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2010

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Fuel Technology
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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