Semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) membranes based on sulfonated poly (arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) were developed for the application in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) operating at high temperature (> 100 oC) and low relative humidity (< 50% RH) conditions. The semi-IPN membranes were prepared by a stepwise heating procedure using SPAES solutions containing vinyl phosphonic acid (VPA) and diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (DEGDMA) and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), where the weight ratio of SPAES to VPA is 50: 50 and the molar ratios of VPA to DEGDMA are 1: 0.10, 1: 0.15 and 1: 0.20, respectively. When the membrane was prepared using the 1.00 to 0.15 molar ratio of VPA to DEGDMA, it showed very high proton conductivity and reasonably high mechanical properties. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) prepared using this semi-IPN membrane showed a much more enhanced cell performance than that of the MEAs prepared using SPAES membranes. The semi-IPN membranes were also found to have very good electrochemical stability from the durability test results obtained by the open circuit voltage (OCV) test involving the repetitive cell performance measurements.  

Preparation of semi-interpenetrating polymer network electrolyte membranes based on poly(arylene ether sulfone) for fuel cells at high temperature and low humidity conditions

248th National Meeting (2014)

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