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

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cross-linked tri-side chains poly(arylene ether ketone)s containing pendant alkylsulfonic acid groups for proton exchange membranes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this