Title

Development Of High Performance, Low Cost Pem Electrolytes

Keywords

Fuel cells; Hydrogen peroxide; Polyetheretherketone; Proton exchange membranes

Abstract

One of the major cost components in a PEM fuel cell is the solid polymer electrolyte separating anode and cathode. The high cost of the membrane is mainly due to the need to perfluorinate the organic polymer. This is thought to be necessary to protect the membrane from oxidative attack by hydroxyl radicals that are generated as by-products of the electrochemical process. Aryl ether chain polymers such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) are hydrocarbon-based compounds that are known for their oxidative resistance. Sulfonated PEEK (SPEEK) polymers were synthesized and exposed to 3.5 % peroxide solution at 25-80 °C. Optical microscopy, water permeability, and conductivity of aqueous extracts were used to monitor polymer degradation. It was shown that 20% SPEEK was more susceptible to oxidation than perfluorinated ionomers such as Nafion?, but considerably less than polystyrene-based ion-exchange membranes. Copyright © (2006) by AFHYPAC.

Publication Date

12-1-2006

Publication Title

16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference 2006, WHEC 2006

Volume

4

Number of Pages

2965-2970

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

Socpus ID

84875617158 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84875617158

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