Synthesis and characterization of polysulfone/layered double hydroxides nanocomposite membranes for fuel cell application Articles uri icon

publication date

  • March 2014

start page

  • 4016

end page

  • 4022

issue

  • 8

volume

  • 39

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0360-3199

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1879-3487

abstract

  • In the present study, sulfonated polysulfone (SPSU)/layered double hydroxide (LDH) composite membranes for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) were investigated. Polysulfone (PSU) was sulfonated with trimethylsilyl chlorosulfonate in 1,2 dichloroethane at room temperature. Composite membranes were prepared by blending different amount (0, 1, 2, and 5%) of LDH nanoparticles with SPSU in dimethylacetamide (DMAc). The membranes were prepared by the casting method and the samples obtained were characterized by XRD, FTIR spectroscopy. The thermal behavior for all samples was evaluated by thermogravimetrical analysis (TGA). Finally electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to study the membranes electrical properties. The EIS measurements were carried out with the membranes in contact with HCl solutions at different concentrations (103 <= c <= 101). Results show a clear dependence of the membrane electrical resistance with the sulfonation degree and the amount of the LDH added. Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

subjects

  • Materials science and engineering
  • Renewable Energies

keywords

  • pem; proton-exchange membranes; polysulfone; layered double hydroxide; proton conductivity; composite membranes; sulfonated polysulfone; blends; montmorillonite