High proton conducting SPEEK/SiO2/PWA composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cells

Sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) based composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) application were prepared by sol-gel reaction of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the SPEEK matrix and the incorporation of phosphotungstic acid (PWA). The conductivity of the developed membranes was...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Wuhan University of Technology. Materials science edition 2011-06, Vol.26 (3), p.417-421
Main Authors: Zhang, Gaowen, Jiang, Jiuxin, Liu, Jianing
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemistry and Materials Science
Materials Science
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Summary:Sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) based composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) application were prepared by sol-gel reaction of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the SPEEK matrix and the incorporation of phosphotungstic acid (PWA). The conductivity of the developed membranes was determined by impedance spectroscopy and the methanol permeability through the membranes was obtained from diffuseness experiments. The SEM images show that the addition of SiO 2 and the covalent cross-linking structure lead to fine PWA particles and more uniformly dispersion. The swelling of composite membranes remains in the range of 5%–8% at 30–90 °C and the effusion of PWA reduces significantly. The composite membranes show a good balance in higher proton conductivity and lower methanol permeation. The cell with composite membrane has higher open circuit voltage(0.728 V) and higher peak power density(45 mW/cm 2 ) than that with Nafion117.
ISSN:1000-2413
1993-0437
DOI:10.1007/s11595-011-0241-1