TY - JOUR
T1 - A robust composite proton exchange membrane of sulfonated poly (Fluorenyl ether ketone) with an electrospun polyimide mat for direct methanol fuel cells application
AU - Cheng, Geng
AU - Li, Zhen
AU - Ren, Shan
AU - Han, Dongmei
AU - Xiao, Min
AU - Wang, Shuanjin
AU - Meng, Yuezhong
N1 - Generated from Scopus record by KAUST IRTS on 2023-09-20
PY - 2021/2/1
Y1 - 2021/2/1
N2 - As a key component of direct methanol fuel cells, proton exchange membranes with suitable thickness and robust mechanical properties have attracted increasing attention. On the one hand, a thinner membrane gives a lower internal resistance, which contributes highly to the overall electrochemical performance of the cell, on the other hand, strong mechanical strength is required for the application of proton exchange membranes. In this work, a sulfonated poly (fluorenyl ether ketone) (SPFEK)-impregnated polyimide nanofiber mat composite membrane (PI@SPFEK) was fabricated. The new composite membrane with a thickness of about 55 µm exhibited a tensile strength of 35.1 MPa in a hydrated state, which is about 65.8% higher than that of the pristine SPFEK membrane. The antioxidant stability test in Fenton’s reagent shows that the reinforced membrane affords better oxidation stability than does the pristine SPFEK membrane. Furthermore, the morphology, proton conductivity, methanol permeability, and fuel cell performance were carefully evaluated and discussed.
AB - As a key component of direct methanol fuel cells, proton exchange membranes with suitable thickness and robust mechanical properties have attracted increasing attention. On the one hand, a thinner membrane gives a lower internal resistance, which contributes highly to the overall electrochemical performance of the cell, on the other hand, strong mechanical strength is required for the application of proton exchange membranes. In this work, a sulfonated poly (fluorenyl ether ketone) (SPFEK)-impregnated polyimide nanofiber mat composite membrane (PI@SPFEK) was fabricated. The new composite membrane with a thickness of about 55 µm exhibited a tensile strength of 35.1 MPa in a hydrated state, which is about 65.8% higher than that of the pristine SPFEK membrane. The antioxidant stability test in Fenton’s reagent shows that the reinforced membrane affords better oxidation stability than does the pristine SPFEK membrane. Furthermore, the morphology, proton conductivity, methanol permeability, and fuel cell performance were carefully evaluated and discussed.
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/4/523
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85101242125&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/polym13040523
DO - 10.3390/polym13040523
M3 - Article
SN - 2073-4360
VL - 13
SP - 1
EP - 12
JO - Polymers
JF - Polymers
IS - 4
ER -