Title

Composite Polymer Electrolyte Membranes Based On Stabilized Phosphotungstic Acid And Sulfonated Poly(Etheretherketone) For Fuel Cell Applications

Abstract

Sulfonated poly(etheretherketone) (SPEEK), with 577 g per equivalent proton, was made by the direct sulfonation method using sulfuric acid. Composite membranes were prepared by the addition of 0, 5, 15, 30, and 40 wt % phosphotungstic acid (PTA) to the nonwater soluble SPEEK. After Cs+ stabilization of the solid acid-containing composites was done, the membranes' conductivities were tested as alternatives to Nafion in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The presence of Cs-PTA in the membranes had little effect on conductivity at low relative humidity (RH), although a 30-40% loading did enable σ=0.12 S/cm at 80°C and 100% RH. A characterization of Cs-PTA and composite membranes via thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and water uptake measurements revealed that stabilization of the PTA with a Cs+ ion also resulted in a sharply curtailed ability to uptake and hold water, a necessary attribute of a significant protonic mobility. Even so, the presence of Cs-PTA in SPEEK membranes enabled improved current-voltage curves in a fuel cell configuration by reducing the interfacial resistance between SPEEK and the Nafion-based catalyst particle binder. © 2010 The Electrochemical Society.

Publication Date

7-23-2010

Publication Title

Journal of the Electrochemical Society

Volume

157

Issue

8

Number of Pages

-

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1149/1.3425618

Socpus ID

77954732470 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/77954732470

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