Fuel cells are a key enabling technology for a future hydrogen economy – particularly for electric vehicle propulsion. The hydrogen fuel cell is an ultra-clean, consistent, source of electricity. A broad array of polymers and ionomers have been developed and evaluated in recent years as possible candidates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Perfluorosulfonic acid membranes, such as Nafion, are the current state-of-the-art PEM materials, due to their excellent mechanical properties, chemical stability, and high proton conductivity.<br/>Sulfonated Diels-Alder poly(phenylene)’s (SPP) as highly amorphous and rigid polymers with elevated thermochemical and mechanical stability are considered as promising candidates for proton exchange membranes in fuel cells. However, increasing degree of sulfonation (DS) leads to significant swelling in water and decreases in conductivity.<br/>This study discusses physical, thermal, electrochemical, and fuel cell performance changes induced by an ionomer blend between a novel branched sulfonated polyphenyl sulfone (PPSU) and a highly sulfonated poly(phenylene). Improving electrochemical properties of sulfonated poly(phenylene) (SPP) with high degree of sulfonation for fuel cell application is the objective of this study. It has been shown the superior conductivity in a 5/95 (PPSU/SPP) blend and a 24% decrease in water uptake results in better fuel cell performance.

Physical, thermal, electrochemical and fuel cell performance study of sulfonated poly(phenelyne)s/novel branched polysulfone-based polymer blend

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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