Hydrogen fuel cells are replacing traditional combustion engines in cars because of their lack of harmful emissions. Efficiency of the fuel cell is determined by the protein exchange membrane (PEM), which allows electrons to perform work in an external circuit. Alongside the PEM is the metal catalyst (typically Platinum). After the fuel cell is decommissioned, optimally, the metal catalyst is recovered via incineration of the fuel cell. <br/>The current industry standard PEM is Nafion, a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene co-polymer, which has high proton condfuctivity. Unfavorably, the cost of this material is high, and the metal (platinum) catalyst cannot, enviornmentally, be recovered. For these reasons, the PEM, Sulfonated Polyether Ether Ketone (SPEEK) is an attractive alternative to Nafion. <br/>Optimization of SPEEK requires a "scaffolding" technique, with expanded Polyether Ether Ketone (ePEEK) being impregnated with a SPEEK casting solution. This resultant composite "SPEEK impregnated ePEEK" would increase the conductivity, and mechanical and thermal stability of the SPEEK PEM.  Full impregnation is determined using Scanning Electron Micrsocopy, and the conductivity of the membrane will be tested within a hydrogen fuel cell.

Sulfonated polyether ether ketone/expanded polyether ether ketone composite proton exchange membrane casting procedure

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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