Preparation of Electrospun Styrofoam Membranes for Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Abstract

This research reported on the preparation of proton exchange membranes from electronic and food packaging waste composed of Styrofoam. Polymeric Solution of 25 wt. % Styrofoam dissolved in an acidic mixture (DMF: THF at 70:30 volumetric ratio) were prepared. Polymeric membranes were fabricated by electrospinning. The effect of MgO NPs addition to polymeric solution was studied. Before sulfonation reaction, SEM results showed a clear reduction in average fiber diameters from (1.5-2) µm to (0.5-1) µm after addition of 0.04 wt.% MgO NPs. After sulfonation reaction by 35% diluted sulfuric acid, SEM results show an increase in average fiber diameters from (0.5-1) µm to (2-2.5) µm. This increase may be correlated to hydrophilic behavior results from incorporation of (-SO3H) to aromatic ring. FTIR analysis indicates the presence of new peaks related to sulfonic acid group (SO3H) attachment to polymeric chain. Proton conductivity as well as water uptake in membranes increased with increasing MgO NPs percentage.