Investigation of membrane property and fuel cell behavior with sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) electrolyte: Temperature and relative humidity effects

    Authors

    R. C. Jiang; H. R. Kunz;J. M. Fenton

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Power Sources

    Keywords

    sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK); water vapor uptake; proton; conductivity; fuel cell performance; temperature; relative humidity; PROTON-EXCHANGE MEMBRANES; POLYMER ELECTROLYTE; PERMEATION PROPERTIES; BLEND MEMBRANES; WATER-UPTAKE; POLYETHERKETONE; POLYBENZIMIDAZOLE; HYDROGEN; Electrochemistry; Energy & Fuels

    Abstract

    Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)s (SPEEKs) with various sulfonation degrees were prepared and characterized for the intention of fuel cell applications. Two distinct water vapor activity regions characterized by different water vapor uptake behaviors were observed. Proton conductivity of SPEEK membranes increases with increasing sulfonation degrees and temperatures. SPEEK membranes with sulfonation degrees of 5 1 and 60% show proton conductivity higher than 0.01 S cm(-1) at temperatures higher than 40 degrees C with 100% relative humidity (RH). Relative humidity has a stronger effect on the proton conductivity of SPEEK membranes than that of Nafion (R) membranes. Fuel cell performance with SPEEK membranes was studied at various temperatures and relative humidities. Good fuel cell performance was obtained with a SPEEK-51 membrane at 80 degrees C, 100% relative humidity and ambient pressure. Both temperature and relative humidity have important influence to the cell resistances and performances. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) as well as hydrogen crossover profiles show distinct features under different relative humidity conditions. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Power Sources

    Volume

    150

    Publication Date

    1-1-2005

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    120

    Last Page

    128

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000232432300014

    ISSN

    0378-7753

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