Casting Membrane of Acrylamide/Polymethacrylic acid and Reinforced by PAC for Application in Fuel Cell Unit

Abstract

that mechanical degradation of the membranes under operational conditions is one of the major reasons for the performance degradation of phosphoric acid-doped polymer fuel cells [22,23]. Optimization of casting solvent is very important for membrane fabrication as it affects the consequent separation performance. Macro-phase separation can be observed for blended membranes cast from polymer/solvent solution, and asymmetric membranes are prepared by phase separation methods [24]. Different solvent pairs result in different membrane morphology and performance. For symmetric (dense) membrane also, fabrication conditions can markedly affect permeation properties [25]. The membrane behavior of a given polymer strongly depends on both the intrinsic material properties and the membrane fabrication conditions. Moreover, practical applications, it is essential to understand the consequences of membrane fabrication conditions, e.g. the effect of solvent selection on the physical structure of the membranes must be carried out. Under the program of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Sanyo Electric Corp., Toshiba Fuel Cell Power System Corp., Matsushita Electric Industrial Corp., Ebara Ballard Corp. and Aishin Seiki Corp. have been examining the possibility of commercializing a 1kW-class PEMFC residential system based on polymer membranes that operates in the temperature region 70-80°C. Such low-temperature operation is an advantage of this type of fuel cell, but it also causes some problems, including low electrical efficiency [26,27] and CO poisoning of the platinum catalyst [28,29]. Furthermore, polymer electrolytes only exhibit high proton conductivities at high humidities. High-temperature PEMFCs (HT- AbstractGamma irradiation poses very important role for casting the polymer membranes. Acrylamide was hydrolyzed by phosphoric acid, while it plays a potential role for coordination of poly methacrylic acid and hydrolyzed acrylamide (acrylic acid) around them. Adding PAC in different ratios for membrane reinforcement besides adsorbing excess of hydrogen proton in aqueous media which enhances proton conductivity. Thermal characterization of the membranes was carried out using thermal gravimetric analysis, while their mechanical properties were investigated by measuring hardness and Chemical description was discussed by studying FTIR and ion exchange capacity (IEC). Morphological characteristics were performed by scan electron microscope. Crystallinity was reviewed using X-ray diffraction which attempts the homogeny of the casted membrane. Electrical resistivity of the membrane was measured resulted in 7 ohm/cm while it reduced to 2.7 ohm by temperature rising to 80°C which confirmed the availability of the membrane in fuel cell usage.