Enhancing the performance of SPEEK polymer electrolyte membranes using functionalized TiO₂ nanoparticles with proton hopping sites

Abstract

In this work, the application of a sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK)/amine functionalized titanium dioxide nanoparticle (AFT) composite as a novel membrane in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) was studied.

Composite Anion Exchange Membranes from Quaternized Poly(arylene ether ketone) and Quaternized Titanate Nanotubes with Enhanced Ion Conductivity

“…Both TNT and QTNT displayed a steady weight loss up to 400°C, however, the weight loss of QTNT was always higher than that of TNT, which could be attributed to the loss of functional groups together with the more water absorbed by the introduced hydrophilic quaternary ammonium groups [34]. Apparently, the nanocomposite membrane of QPAEK/QTNT-1 showed lower weight loss from 100 to 800°C than the pristine QPAEK membrane, so did other nanocomposite membranes although not shown in Figure 6, indicating their improved thermal stability, which was in good agreement with previous reports [31,40,41]. The first stage below 150°C was usually referred to the loss of absorbed water, the second stage around 150-300°C was attributed to the decomposition of attached quaternary ammonium groups as reported for similar ionomers, while the final stage derived from the degradation of polymer skeleton.…”

“…They all showed no defects, cracks and any local aggregations, indicating the fine dispersion of nanofillers inside the membrane matrix with the QTNT loading up to 2 wt.%. Broad and strong peaks at 1,634 cm -1 and below 1,000 cm -1 were found for both TNT and QTNT powders, which belonged to the Ti-O-Ti absorption bands [31,34]. The comparative QPAEK/TNT-1 membrane presented rather large local agglomeration in the membrane matrix as pointed out by the red arrow in Figure 4e.…”

“…For example, quaternized polysulfone and chloromethylated graphene oxides (2 wt.%) nanocomposite membrane exhibited ion conductivity as high as 12.7 mS cm -1 at 60°C and could endure alkali treatment (1 mol L -1 NaOH) for 744 h at 50°C according to Zhang et al's report [27]. Titania nanomaterials have been widely studied as the photo-catalysts, a few reports have also investigated their performance as the inorganic filler in nano-hybrid polymer electrolyte membranes [30][31][32]. One is the nonuniform distribution inside the membrane matrix, the other is the weak interaction between the inorganic particles and polymer chains.…”

“…One is the nonuniform distribution inside the membrane matrix, the other is the weak interaction between the inorganic particles and polymer chains. Javanbakht et al [31] investigated the performance of nanocomposite membranes prepared by sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) and TiO 2 particles functionalized by grafting aminopropyl groups. Therefore, it is of high demand to develop composite membranes in which the inorganic particles homogenously distributed and strong interactions exist between the two components.…”

Fabrication of Binary Sulfonated Poly Ether Sulfone and Sulfonated Polyvinylidene Fluoride‐Co‐Hexafluoro Propylene Blend Membrane as Efficient Electrolyte for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

“…13. [25][26][27][28][29][30] σ mS=cm ð Þ= L RTW Commercial gas diffusion electrodes were employed as the electrodes (Pt = 0.5 mg/cm 2 ). The solution was diluted with that DMAc, and then filtered using filter paper by co-solvent (deionized water, acetone/ methanol/1:1:8, v/v/v) to eliminate salt.…”