Advanced nanocomposite membranes based on sulfonated polyethersulfone: influence of nanoparticles on PEMFC performance

Enhanced performance of nanocomposite membrane developed on sulfonated poly (1, 4-phenylene ether-ether-sulfone) with zeolite imidazole frameworks for fuel cell application

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) have received a lot of interest and use metal-organic frameworks (MOF)/polymer nanocomposite membranes. Zeolite imidazole framework-90 (ZIF-90) was employed as an addition in the sulfonated poly (1, 4-phenylene ether-ether-sulfone) (SPEES) matrix in order to investigate the proton conductivity in a novel nanocomposite membrane made of SPEES/ ZIF. The high porosity, free surface, and presence of the aldehyde group in the ZIF-90 nanostructure have a substantial impact on enhancing the mechanical, chemical, thermal, and proton conductivity capabilities of the SPEES/ZIF-90 nanocomposite membranes. The results indicate that the utilization of SPEES/ZIF-90 nanocomposite membranes with 3wt% ZIF-90 resulted in enhanced proton conductivity of up to 160 mS/cm at 90 °C and 98% relative humidity (RH). This is a significant improvement compared to the SPEES membrane which exhibited a proton conductivity of 55 mS/cm under the same conditions, indicating a 1.9-fold increase in performance. Furthermore, the SPEES/ZIF-90/3 membrane exhibited a remarkable 79% improvement in maximum power density, achieving a value of 0.52 W/cm² at 0.5 V and 98% RH, which is 79% higher than that of the pristine SPEES membrane.

Functionalized Metallic 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenide-Based Solid-State Electrolyte for Flexible All-Solid-State Supercapacitors

Highly efficient and durable flexible solid-state supercapacitors (FSSSCs) are emerging as low-cost devices for portable and wearable electronics due to the elimination of leakage of toxic/corrosive liquid electrolytes and their capability to withstand elevated mechanical stresses. Nevertheless, the spread of FSSSCs requires the development of durable and highly conductive solid-state electrolytes, whose electrochemical characteristics must be competitive with those of traditional liquid electrolytes. Here, we propose an innovative composite solid-state electrolyte prepared by incorporating metallic two-dimensional group-5 transition metal dichalcogenides, namely, liquid-phase exfoliated functionalized niobium disulfide (f-NbS₂) nanoflakes, into a sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) polymeric matrix. The terminal sulfonate groups in f-NbS₂ nanoflakes interact with the sulfonic acid groups of SPEEK by forming a robust hydrogen bonding network. Consequently, the composite solid-state electrolyte is mechanically/dimensionally stable even at a degree of sulfonation of SPEEK as high as 70.2%. At this degree of sulfonation, the mechanical strength is 38.3 MPa, and thanks to an efficient proton transport through the Grotthuss mechanism, the proton conductivity is as high as 94.4 mS cm^-1 at room temperature. To elucidate the importance of the interaction between the electrode materials (including active materials and binders) and the solid-state electrolyte, solid-state supercapacitors were produced using SPEEK and poly(vinylidene fluoride) as proton conducting and nonconducting binders, respectively. The use of our solid-state electrolyte in combination with proton-conducting SPEEK binder and carbonaceous electrode materials (mixture of activated carbon, single/few-layer graphene, and carbon black) results in a solid-state supercapacitor with a specific capacitance of 116 F g^-1 at 0.02 A g^-1, optimal rate capability (76 F g^-1 at 10 A g^-1), and electrochemical stability during galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling and folding/bending stresses.

A Review of Recent Developments and Advanced Applications of High-Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for PEM Fuel Cells

This review summarizes the current status, operating principles, and recent advances in high-temperature polymer electrolyte membranes (HT-PEMs), with a particular focus on the recent developments, technical challenges, and commercial prospects of the HT-PEM fuel cells. A detailed review of the most recent research activities has been covered by this work, with a major focus on the state-of-the-art concepts describing the proton conductivity and degradation mechanisms of HT-PEMs. In addition, the fuel cell performance and the lifetime of HT-PEM fuel cells as a function of operating conditions have been discussed. In addition, the review highlights the important outcomes found in the recent literature about the HT-PEM fuel cell. The main objectives of this review paper are as follows: (1) the latest development of the HT-PEMs, primarily based on polybenzimidazole membranes and (2) the latest development of the fuel cell performance and the lifetime of the HT-PEMs.

Fabrication and performance evaluation of new nanocomposite membranes based on sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) for PEM fuel cells

The purpose of this work is to enhance the proton conductivity and fuel cell performance of sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) (SPPEK) as a proton exchange membrane through the application of SrTiO₃ perovskite nanoparticles. Nanocomposite membranes based on SPPEK and SrTiO₃ perovskite nanoparticles were prepared via a casting method. The highest proton conductivity of nanocomposite membranes obtained was 120 mS cm⁻¹ at 90 °C and 95% RH. These enhancements could be related to the hygroscopic structure of SrTiO₃ perovskite nanoparticles and the formation of hydrogen bonds between nanoparticles and water molecules. The satisfactory power density, 0.41 W cm⁻² at 0.5 V and 85 °C, of the nanocomposite membrane (5 wt% content of nanoparticles) confirms their potential for application in the PEM fuel cells.

The purpose of this work is to enhance the proton conductivity and fuel cell performance of sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) (SPPEK) as a proton exchange membrane through the application of SrTiO₃ perovskite nanoparticles.

Novel cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol)-based electrolyte membranes for fuel cell applications

A series of cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol)-sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) blend membranes were prepared. The studies of physico-chemical properties revealed that the reported membranes are promising candidate for PEMFC applications.

High temperature composite membranes based on polybenzimidazole and dendrimer amine functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica for fuel cells

In this work SBA-15, a melamine-based functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica with a dicationic ionic liquid was used in order to improve the physicochemical properties of phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole membranes for application in HT-PEMFCs.

Synthesis and optimization of nanocomposite membranes based on SPEEK and perovskite nanoparticles for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

The addition of BaZr_0.9Y_0.1O_3−δ (BZY10) nanoparticles as a perovskite material with a proton conductor oxide structure to enhance the performance of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) has been investigated in this work.