Relationship between the Proton Conductive Performance and Water Uptake Ratio on a Filler-Filled Polymer Electrolyte Membrane

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells are attracting attention as clean, highly efficient power generation devices that can solve problems such as energy resource depletion, global warming, and environmental pollution. In this research, we have fabricated proton conductive filler-filled membranes, employing polymer-coated cellulose nanocrystals and different binder resins. Moreover, we have demonstrated the relationship between proton conductivity and water uptake of binder resins. It was clarified that the fabricated membrane with a high water uptake ratio showed excellent proton conduction performance under high humidity at low temperatures with a low activation energy for proton conduction. The substantiation of the compatibility relationship between water absorption and efficacy of proton conduction can contribute to the design and fabrication of a new binder resin synthesis model and contributes to the knowledge of the polymer skeleton structure for the improvement of the proton conductive performance of polymer electrolyte membranes.

Cross-Linked Sulfonated Poly(arylene ether sulfone) Membrane Using Polymeric Cross-Linkers for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Applications

“…Since SDT has two sulfonic acid groups per repeat unit, the number of sulfonic acid groups in the membrane after cross-linking would increase. This results in a relatively larger water uptake and forms large hydrophilic domains that may facilitate proton transfer, resulting in high proton conductivity even under very low RH conditions [ 36 ]. As a result, SDT-CSPAES membranes exhibited high proton conductivity despite the inevitable reduction in the chain mobility by the formation of the cross-linked structure.…”

Review on Functional Electrolyte, Redox Polymers, and Solar Conversions in 3G Emerging Photovoltaic Technologies: Progress and Outlook

“…The shape selective nanoparticle reduces not only the extent of composite interaction between polymer chains but also resist the local crystallization effect into polymer network . Oxygen vacant filler improve the interfacial strength and ionic conductivity of composite polymer. , The electrolyte cation are attracted on the nanostructured silica surface (Si–OH) result in enhancement of free density of the redox-active anion which further increases the mobility of electrolyte active ion into the gel electrolyte . The conducting PANI elevates anionic mobility into the electrolyte by increasing the content of the amorphous state into polymeric component.…”

Highly Proton Conductive Membranes Based on Poly(vinylphosphonic acid)-Coated Cellulose Nanocrystals and Cellulose Nanofibers for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

“…Recently, we fabricated PEMs by combining polymer-coated nanoparticles with three binders. 26 The polymer-coated nanoparticles were composed of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as a core and coated with copolymer of poly(vinylphosphonic acid) (PVPA) and polystyrene (PS) (PVPA-b-PS) as a shell. Then, PVPA-b-PScoated CNC (CNC@PVPA-b-PS) were kneaded with poly-(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), and PS, resulting in each PEM being fabricated.…”