Hydrocarbon-based fuel cell membranes: Sulfonated crosslinked poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene) membranes for high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

a b s t r a c tHigh temperature fuel cell membranes based on poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene) were prepared by a Polymerization-Crosslinking-Sulfonation (PCS) approach, and a broad range of membrane compositions were achieved using various sulfonating reagents and reaction conditions. Membranes were characterized for their proton conductivity and thermal degradation behavior. Some of the membranes showed up to a 68% increase in proton conductivity as compared to Nafion under the same conditions (100% relative humidity and 120 C). Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that these membranes are thermally stable up to 200 C. High proton conductivity and thermal stability, combined with much lower cost as compared to Nafion ® , make these materials potentially interesting as fuel cell membranes, although they are chemically vulnerable under fuel cell operation conditions.

Branched poly(biphenylene‐co‐sulfone)ether ion exchange membranes containing perfluorocyclobutane groups for fuel cell applications

“…3,4 Hydrocarbon-based PEMs have been developed to replace these perfluorinated ionomers. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] However, they also still have severe limitations, including poor chemical stability after longterm use.…”

“…However, they have some demerits, such as poor conductivity at high temperature (> 80 °C) and high methanol permeability, as well as high preparation cost . Hydrocarbon‐based PEMs have been developed to replace these perfluorinated ionomers . However, they also still have severe limitations, including poor chemical stability after long‐term use.…”

“…The resulting ionomer, SPBS-40B1 was dissolved in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), cast onto a glass plate, concentrated in an oven at 80 C for 16 h and subsequently dried in vacuum at 120 C for 16 h. IR (KBr, cm −1 ): hexafluorocyclobutane (960); S=O asymmetric (1095). 1 H-NMR (DMSO-d6 , δ in ppm): 6.95-7.92 (various m, CH arom. ), 2.08 (s, CH 3 ).…”

Synthesis and Characterization by Ellipsometry of Cationic Membranes for Fuel Cells

“…One of the most promising alternative power source have been the PEMFC (Proton exchange membrane fuel cell) for operating in lower temperatures (80ºC/ 90ºC) and easy scale-up, which are attractive features for use in automotive vehicles. Furthermore, they can also be used in portable and stationary power generation [4,5].…”

High temperature proton exchange membranes with enhanced proton conductivities at low humidity and high temperature based on polymer blends and block copolymers of poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene) and poly(ethylene glycol)

“…[37,38] Recently, we reported the first aliphatic proton exchange membrane material based on poly (1,3-cyclohexadiene) (PCHD). [39,40]Chemical durability of hydrocarbon membranes poses an issue due to the aliphatic hydrogens being susceptible to attack by peroxy and hydroperoxy radicals generated during fuel cell operation. [38,41]Recognizing that chemical durability is a serious issue, these are considered as limited model systems that nonetheless have a number of variables which can be manipulated to optimize other properties.…”