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Characterization of proton exchange membranes based on SPSEBS/SPSU blends

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Abstract

Proton-conducting polymer membranes are used as an electrolytes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The most widely used commercially available membrane electrolytes are perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, an expensive class of ionomers. In this study, the potential of polymer blends derived from sulfonated polystyrene ethylene butylene polystyrene (SPSEBS) and sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU) for use in electrolyte applications was examined. Although SPSEBS by itself exhibits good conductivity, flexibility, and chemical stability, it has poor mechanical stability. So, in an effort to improve the mechanical properties of SPSEBS while maintaining its good conductivity, it was blended with SPSU. SPSEBS/SPSU blends were therefore prepared by a solvent evaporation method, and the resulting blend membranes were characterized in terms of conductivity, ionic exchange capacity, and water uptake. Sulfonation was confirmed and the crystallinity of the blend membranes was studied by FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The morphologies of the membranes were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and their thermal stabilities by TGA and DSC. Finally, the mechanical strength of SPSEBS was studied using a UTM (universal testing machine). This paper presents the results of recent investigations aimed at developing an optimized in-house membrane electrode assembly (MEA) preparation technique combining catalyst ink spraying and assembly hot pressing. Easy steps were chosen for this preparation technique in order to simplify the method, thus minimizing costs. The influence of MEA fabrication parameters like electrode pressing or annealing on the performance of the hydrogen fuel cell was studied by performing single cell measurements during H2/O2 operation. Carbon cloth was used as a gas diffusion layer (GDL), and the composition of the electrode ink was optimized to maximize fuel cell performance. A commercial E-TEK catalyst was used for the anode and cathode, with Pt loadings of 0.125 and 0.37 mg/cm2, respectively. The MEA with the best performance delivered approximately 0.50 W/cm2 at room temperature. The methanol permeability and the selectivity ratio strongly influenced DMFC performance. Both direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) and PEMFCs are discussed in this paper.

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Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the University Grant Commission (UGC) of India for funding this project.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Anna University, Chennai 25, Tamil Nadu, India

    Perumal Bhavani & Dharmalingam Sangeetha

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  1. Perumal Bhavani
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  2. Dharmalingam Sangeetha
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Correspondence to Dharmalingam Sangeetha.

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Bhavani, P., Sangeetha, D. Characterization of proton exchange membranes based on SPSEBS/SPSU blends. J Polym Res 19, 9824 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-012-9824-6

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