Novel silica/poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) hybrid anion-exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cells: Effect of silica content and the single cell performance

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2010-05, Vol.195 (10), p.3069-3076
• Main Authors: Wu, Yonghui, Wu, Cuiming, Varcoe, John R., Poynton, Simon D., Xu, Tongwen, Fu, Yanxun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaline membrane fuel cell (AMFC); Anion-exchange membranes (AEMs); Applied sciences; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Organic–inorganic hybrid membranes; Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO); Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.11.118

Poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO)-based organic–inorganic hybrid alkaline membranes with enhanced hydroxyl (OH −) conductivity are prepared in response to the relatively low conductivity of previously reported PPO-based systems. The membranes also exhibit higher swelling-resistant properties and the hydroxyl (OH −) conductivity values are comparable to previously reported fluoropolymer-containing membranes: 0.012–0.035 S cm −1 in the temperature range 30–90 °C. Other favorable properties for fuel cell application include high tensile strengths up to 25 MPa and large ion-exchange capacities in the range 2.01–2.27 mmol g −1. Beginning-of-life fuel cell testing of a membrane with a thickness of 140 μm yielded an acceptable H 2/O 2 peak power density of 32 mW cm −2 when incorporated into an alkaline membrane electrode assembly. Therefore, this class of hybrid membrane is suitable for application in alkaline membrane fuel cells.