Electrospun Composite Membranes for Alkaline Fuel Cells
Abstract
Electrospun fiber composite anion exchange membranes were created by electrospinning two polymers: a chloromethylated polysulfone that would ultimately serve as the hydroxide ion conductor, and an uncharged polyphenylsulfone to limit water swelling and provide mechanical strength to the final membrane. After electrospinning, the chloromethyl groups were converted into quaternary ammonium moieties for hydroxide ion conduction. The polyphenylsulfone fibers were then selectively made to flow and fill the void space in the dual fiber mat, thus forming a dense, defect free membrane. The final membrane morphology was a quaternized polysulfone interconnecting fiber network embedded in a polyphenylsulfone matrix. For a membrane containing 63 vol percent anion-exchange polymer fibers (with a fiber IEC of 2.5 mmol g-1), the OH- ion conductivity was high (40 mS cm-1 in 23 deg C water) and the equilibrium water swelling at room temperature was low (70 vol percent).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 09, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1092150
Entities
People
- A. M. Park
- P. N. Pintauro
Organizations
- Vanderbilt University