Using silica nanoparticles for modifying sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) membrane for direct methanol fuel cell: A significant improvement on cell performance

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• 作者：Yu-Huei Su ; Ying-Ling Liu ; Yi-Ming Sun ; Juin-Yih Lai ; Michael D. Guiver and Yan Gao
• 关键词：Sulfonated polymer ; Silica nanocomposites ; Fuel cell
• 刊名：Journal of Power Sources
• 出版年：2006
• 出版时间：21 April 2006
• 年：2006
• 卷：155
• 期：2
• 页码：111-117
• 全文大小：579 K

文摘

Sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) (sPPEK) with a degree of sulfonation of 1.23 was mixed with silica nanoparticles to form hybrid materials for using as proton exchange membranes. The nanoparticles were found homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix and a high 30 phr (parts per hundred resin) loading of silica nanoparticles can be achieved. The hybrid membranes exhibited improved swelling behavior, thermal stability, and mechanical properties. The methanol crossover behavior of the membrane was also depressed such that these membranes are suitable for a high methanol concentration in feed (3 M) in cell test. The membrane with 5 phr silica nanoparticles showed an open cell potential of 0.6 V and an optimum power density of 52.9 mW cm⁻² at a current density of 264.6 mA cm⁻², which is better than the performance of the pristine sPPEK membrane and Nafion^® 117.