Abstract
A new alkyl chain modified sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (mPES) was synthesized and formed into membranes. The MEAs were tested in the PEMFC and evaluated systematically in the DMFC by varying the methanol concentration from 0.5 to 5.0 M at 60 °C and 70 °C. The synthesized mPES copolymer has been characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and gel permeation chromatography. The proton conductivity of the resulting membrane is higher than the threshold value of 10-2 S cm-1 at room temperature for practical PEM fuel cells. The membrane is insoluble in boiling water, thermally stable until 250 °C and shows low methanol permeability. In the H2/air PEMFC at 70 °C, a current density of 600 mA cm -2 leads to a potential of 637 mV and 658 mV for 50 μm thick mPES 60 and Nafion NRE 212, respectively. In the DMFC, mPES 60's methanol crossover current density is 4 times lower than that for Nafion NRE 212, leading to higher OCV values and peak power densities. Among all investigated conditions and materials, the highest peak power density of 120 mW cm-2 was obtained with an mPES 60 based MEA at 70 °C and a methanol feed of 2 M.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2889-2899 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 Feb 27 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Alkyl chain modification
- Direct methanol fuel cell
- Fuel cell membrane
- Poly(ether sulfone)
- Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Fuel Technology
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Cite this
Alkyl chain modified sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) for fuel cell applications. / Krishnan, N. Nambi; Henkensmeier, Dirk; Jang, Jong Hyun; Kim, Hyoung Juhn; Ha, Heung Yong; Nam, SukWoo.
In: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 38, No. 6, 27.02.2013, p. 2889-2899.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Alkyl chain modified sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) for fuel cell applications
AU - Krishnan, N. Nambi
AU - Henkensmeier, Dirk
AU - Jang, Jong Hyun
AU - Kim, Hyoung Juhn
AU - Ha, Heung Yong
AU - Nam, SukWoo
PY - 2013/2/27
Y1 - 2013/2/27
N2 - A new alkyl chain modified sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (mPES) was synthesized and formed into membranes. The MEAs were tested in the PEMFC and evaluated systematically in the DMFC by varying the methanol concentration from 0.5 to 5.0 M at 60 °C and 70 °C. The synthesized mPES copolymer has been characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and gel permeation chromatography. The proton conductivity of the resulting membrane is higher than the threshold value of 10-2 S cm-1 at room temperature for practical PEM fuel cells. The membrane is insoluble in boiling water, thermally stable until 250 °C and shows low methanol permeability. In the H2/air PEMFC at 70 °C, a current density of 600 mA cm -2 leads to a potential of 637 mV and 658 mV for 50 μm thick mPES 60 and Nafion NRE 212, respectively. In the DMFC, mPES 60's methanol crossover current density is 4 times lower than that for Nafion NRE 212, leading to higher OCV values and peak power densities. Among all investigated conditions and materials, the highest peak power density of 120 mW cm-2 was obtained with an mPES 60 based MEA at 70 °C and a methanol feed of 2 M.
AB - A new alkyl chain modified sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (mPES) was synthesized and formed into membranes. The MEAs were tested in the PEMFC and evaluated systematically in the DMFC by varying the methanol concentration from 0.5 to 5.0 M at 60 °C and 70 °C. The synthesized mPES copolymer has been characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and gel permeation chromatography. The proton conductivity of the resulting membrane is higher than the threshold value of 10-2 S cm-1 at room temperature for practical PEM fuel cells. The membrane is insoluble in boiling water, thermally stable until 250 °C and shows low methanol permeability. In the H2/air PEMFC at 70 °C, a current density of 600 mA cm -2 leads to a potential of 637 mV and 658 mV for 50 μm thick mPES 60 and Nafion NRE 212, respectively. In the DMFC, mPES 60's methanol crossover current density is 4 times lower than that for Nafion NRE 212, leading to higher OCV values and peak power densities. Among all investigated conditions and materials, the highest peak power density of 120 mW cm-2 was obtained with an mPES 60 based MEA at 70 °C and a methanol feed of 2 M.
KW - Alkyl chain modification
KW - Direct methanol fuel cell
KW - Fuel cell membrane
KW - Poly(ether sulfone)
KW - Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84873167866&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84873167866&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2012.12.008
DO - 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2012.12.008
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84873167866
VL - 38
SP - 2889
EP - 2899
JO - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
JF - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
SN - 0360-3199
IS - 6
ER -