Pore-filling membrane for direct methanol fuel cells based on sulfonated poly(styrene-ran-ethylene) and porous polyimide matrix

We have synthesized a porous co-polyimide film by coagulating a polyimide precursor in the non-solvent and thermal imidization. Factors affecting the morphology, pore size, porosity, and mechanical strength of the film were discussed. The porous polyimide matrix consists of a porous top layer and a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of membrane science 2009-10, Vol.342 (1), p.208-214
Main Authors: Nguyen, Tien Hoa, Wang, Cheng, Wang, Xin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Composite membrane
Direct methanol fuel cell
Porous polyimide
Proton conductivity
Wet phase inversion
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Summary:We have synthesized a porous co-polyimide film by coagulating a polyimide precursor in the non-solvent and thermal imidization. Factors affecting the morphology, pore size, porosity, and mechanical strength of the film were discussed. The porous polyimide matrix consists of a porous top layer and a spongy sub-structure with micropores. It is used as a porous matrix to construct sulfonated poly(styrene-ran-ethylene) (SPSE) infiltrated composite membrane for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) application. Due to the complete inertness to methanol and the very high mechanical strength of the polyimide matrix, the swelling of the composite membrane is greatly suppressed and the methanol crossover is also significantly reduced, while high proton conductivity is still maintained. Because of its higher proton conductivity and less methanol permeability, single fuel cell performance test demonstrated that this composite membrane outperformed Nafion membrane. Based on these results, SPSE/polyimide composite membrane has great potential to be used in DMFCs.
ISSN:0376-7388
1873-3123
DOI:10.1016/j.memsci.2009.06.042