SiO₂ ceramic nanoporous substrate-reinforced sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) composite membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

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• 作者：Jong-Heon Seol^a ; Ji-Hye Won^a ; Kyung-Suk Yoon^b ; Young Taik Hong^b ; ^{ythong@krict.re.kr} ; Sang-Young Lee^a ; ^{syleek@kangwon.ac.kr}
• 关键词：Proton exchange membrane fuel cells ; Reinforced composite membranes ; SiO2 ceramic nanoporous substrates ; poly(paraphenylene terephthalamide) nonwoven ; Sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) ; Proton conductivity
• 刊名：International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：42_03603199
• 类别：ch
• 出版时间：April, 2012
• 卷：37
• 期：7
• 页码：6189-6198
• 文件大小：1410 K

摘要

Porous substrate-reinforced composite membranes have been extensively investigated due to their promising application to proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). In this study, we develop a new ceramic-based reinforcing porous substrate, which consists of hygroscopic silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles interconnected by 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS)-based silicate binders and a poly(paraphenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) nonwoven support. This unusual ceramic substrate is featured with the strong mechanical strength, well-developed nanoporous structure (i.e., nanosized interstitial voids formed between the close-packed SiO₂ nanoparticles), high hydrophilicity, and more notably, good water retention capability. The nanostructured pores of the ceramic substrate are subsequently impregnated with sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES, degree of sulfonation聽=聽49.3%). In comparison to a pristine SPAES membrane, the ceramic substrate-reinforced SPAES composite membrane offers the significantly improved dimensional change and also effectively mitigates the steep decline of proton conductivity at low humidity conditions, which is further discussed by considering the state of water in the reinforced composite membrane.