Macromolecular cross-linked polybenzimidazole based on bromomethylated poly (aryl ether ketone) with enhanced stability for high temperature fuel cell applications

Shuang Wang, Chengji Zhao, Wenjia Ma, Na Zhang, Zhongguo Liu, Gang Zhang, Hui Na

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

A series of macromolecular cross-linked polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes have been successfully prepared for the high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) applications. Bromomethylated poly (aryl ether ketone) (BrPAEK) is synthesized and used as a macromolecular cross-linker, the cross-linking reaction can be accomplished at 160 C using an easy facial heating treatment. The resulting cross-linked membranes CBrPBI-X (X is the weight fraction of the cross-linker) display excellent mechanical strength. After phosphoric acid (PA) doping, the mechanical strength and proton conductivity of the PA/CBrPBI-X membranes are both enhanced comparing with the pristine PA/PBI. Considering the tradeoff of the mechanical strength and proton conductivity, 10 wt% BrPAEK is demonstrated to be an optimum content in the matrix. For instance, the proton conductivity of PA/CBrPBI-10 is 0.038 S cm-1 at 200 C, which is higher than that of pristine PA/PBI with the proton conductivity of 0.029 S cm-1 at the same temperature. Other properties of the cross-linked membranes are also investigated in detail, including the oxidative stability, solubility and thermal stability. All the results indicate that the PA/CBrPBI-10 membrane has the potential application in HT-PEMFCs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)102-109
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Power Sources
Volume243
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

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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