Cross-linked tri-side chains poly(arylene ether ketone)s containing pendant alkylsulfonic acid groups for proton exchange membranes

Liyuan Zhang, Gang Zhang, Chengji Zhao, Hao Jiang, Jing Wang, Dan Xu, Yang Zhang, Ke Shao, Zhongguo Liu, Wengjia Ma, Hongtao Li, Mingyu Li, Shuang Wang, Hui Na

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

In order to enhance the ion exchange capacity (IEC) in the proton exchange membrane materials, a novel sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) (SQNPAEK) containing tri-side chains in one unit is synthesized by direct polymerization. The SQNPAEK membrane shows excellent proton conductivity up to 0.102 S cm -1 at 80 °C, which are superior to previous side-chain-type and main-chain-type sulfonated polymer membranes at similar IEC. Cross-linked membranes are then obtained by a heating reaction at 190 °C, using 4,4′-diglycidyl (3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbiphenyl) epoxy resin (TMBP) as the cross-linker. As expected, the water uptake and the methanol permeability of the cross-linked membranes decrease with increasing the content of TMBP. Compared to Nafion 117, the cross-linked membranes show comparable proton conductivities and much higher selectivities, which are in the range of 5.18 × 10 5-1.46 × 10 6 S s -1 cm 3. Other properties of the cross-linked membranes, such as mechanical properties, thermal properties, are also investigated. All the results indicated that the cross-linked membranes based on SQNPAEKs and TMBP are promising candidate for direct methanol fuel cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)142-150
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Power Sources
Volume201
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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