Cellulose Nanocrystals Crosslinked with Sulfosuccinic Acid as Sustainable Proton Exchange Membranes for Electrochemical Energy Applications

Nanocellulose is a sustainable material which holds promise for many energy-related applications. Here, nanocrystalline cellulose is used to prepare proton exchange membranes (PEMs). Normally, this nanomaterial is highly dispersible in water, preventing its use as an ionomer in many electrochemical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Membranes (Basel) 2022-06, Vol.12 (7), p.658
Main Authors: Selyanchyn, Olena, Bayer, Thomas, Klotz, Dino, Selyanchyn, Roman, Sasaki, Kazunari, Lyth, Stephen Matthew
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
bionanomaterial
Cellulose
Conductivity
Crosslinking
Electrochemistry
Electrolytic cells
Energy
Fuel cells
Functional groups
Homogenization
Hydrocarbons
Hydrogen
Ionomers
Mechanical properties
Membranes
nanocellulose
Nanocrystals
Nanomaterials
Optimization
Permeability
polymer electrolyte membrane
Polymers
Polyvinyl alcohol
proton conductivity
Protons
Reaction time
Sulfonic acid
sulfonic acid groups
Sulfur trioxide
Sustainability
Sustainable materials
Water stability
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Summary:Nanocellulose is a sustainable material which holds promise for many energy-related applications. Here, nanocrystalline cellulose is used to prepare proton exchange membranes (PEMs). Normally, this nanomaterial is highly dispersible in water, preventing its use as an ionomer in many electrochemical applications. To solve this, we utilized a sulfonic acid crosslinker to simultaneously improve the mechanical robustness, water-stability, and proton conductivity (by introducing -SO3−H+ functional groups). The optimization of the proportion of crosslinker used and the crosslinking reaction time resulted in enhanced proton conductivity up to 15 mS/cm (in the fully hydrated state, at 120 °C). Considering the many advantages, we believe that nanocellulose can act as a sustainable and low-cost alternative to conventional, ecologically problematic, perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers for applications in, e. fuel cells and electrolyzers.
ISSN:2077-0375
2077-0375
DOI:10.3390/membranes12070658