Polyarylenethioethersulfone Membranes for Fuel Cells (Postprint)

Abstract

High-performance sulfonated polyarylenethioethersulfone (SPTES) polymers have been developed as membranes for fuel cells. These high-molecular-weight polymers synthesized by a polycondensation process have an aromatic backbone along with high sulfonic acid content that provides for their high conductivity and robust mechanical properties. Bulky phenyl-based endcapping agents are incorporated into the system to maintain high water stability and retain high proton conductivity. Films with good mechanical properties were obtained by solvent casting. SPTES polymer systems with a 50% degree of sulfonation (SPTES-50) exhibited high proton conductivity (>100 mS/cm) at 65 ?C and 85% relative humidity. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) fabricated using SPTES-50 electrolytes that incorporate conventional electrode application techniques have shown high proton mobility. Electrochemical evaluation was performed using nonlinear regression analysis to obtain Tafel parameters.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA527882

Entities

People

  • K. Bardua
  • S.j. Rodrigues
  • T.l. Reitz
  • Tram Dang
  • Z. Bai

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acids
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Conductivity
  • Electrodes
  • Fabrication
  • Field Effect Transistors
  • Fuel Cells
  • Humidity
  • Life Tests
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Molecular Weight
  • Regression Analysis
  • Sulfonic Acids

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Polymer Science and Technology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology