Fabrication and Properties of Hybrid Membranes Based on Poly (Vinyl Alcohol), Sulfosuccinic Acid and Salts of Heteropolyacid with or without Silica for Fuel Cells Applications

Abstract

Novel ionic polymers were synthesized by crosslinking of poly (vinylalcohol) (PVA) with sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) and silicotungstic acid (SiWA) with or without silica. The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) was developed using solution casting method. Infrared (IR) spectra revealed that the Keggin structure was insered in the PVA films. The thermal decomposition of the PVA/SSA/SiWA/SiO2 membranes showed good thermal stability up to 200°C. Water uptake ranged between 31% and 88%. The maximum conductivity has been found to be 6,72.10-3 S.cm-1 at room temperature for PVA/SSA/SiWA containing 10% of silica weight. The ion exchange capacity of this membrane was 1,75 mmol.g-1. The results showed that these membranes presented very promising performances for use in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.