This paper discusses a new class of inexpensive and high performance PEMs that are based on a well-controlled polyethylene graft copolymer containing a polyethylene (PE) backbone and several sulfonated poly(arylene ethersulfone) (s-PAES) side chains. The unique combination of hydrophobicity, crystallinity, and high molecular weight of the PE backbone offers PEM with a stable (mild-swellable) matrix. The embedded hydrophilic s-PAES domains show only moderate water uptake, even with a high ion exchange capacity (IEC >3 mmol/g in the s-PAES domains). Compared to Nafion 117, most PE-g-s-PAES PEMs show similar hydration numbers (160 mS/cm). More interestingly, all PE-g-s-PAES PEMs show higher through-plane conductivity than in-plane conductivity. Evidently, a thin hydrophobic PE layer is formed on the PEM surfaces due to the low surface energy of PE, resulting in anisotropic conductivity. Overall, this newly-developed PE-g-s-PAES membrane offers a combination of desirable properties, including conductivity, water uptake, mechanical strength, stability, and cost-effectiveness for fuel cells.

Polyethylene-based proton exchange membranes containing PE backbone and sulfonated poly(arylene ethersulfone) side chains for fuel cell applications

244th National Meeting (2012)

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