Sulfonated polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polystyrene based membranes containing CuO@g-C3N4 embedded with 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate for fuel cell applications

New series of polymer composite membranes were prepared from sulfonated polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polystyrene (S-PSEBS) and copper oxide loaded in graphitic carbon nitride (CuO@N-C) embedded with an ionic liquid, 2,4,6-triphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate. The structural and physicochemical properties of the composite membranes were studied in detail. Electrolyte membrane loaded with 8.0 wt% of CuO@N-C exhibited the maximum ion-exchange capacity of 3.1 meq. g^-1, whereas that of the pristine membrane was restricted to 1.8 meq. g^-1. From the TGA profile of the composite membrane, it was found to exhibit adequate thermal stability to be employed as electrolyte in fuel cells. Proton conductivity of the composite membranes was found to be in the range between 0.0179 S cm^-1 and 0.0229 S cm^-1. Indeed, the substantial results achieved with the S-PSEBS/CuO@N-C composite membranes were indicative of the notable features of the membranes for use in fuel cells.

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.

New series of organic–inorganic polymer nanocomposite membranes for fuel cell applications

Flexible organic–inorganic polymer nanocomposite membranes with uniformly distributed metal oxide nanoparticles were prepared using sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) as a base material and praseodymium oxide (PSO) as an inorganic additive. The degree of sulfonation of SPEEK was determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and found to be 60%. The characteristic properties of the polymer nanocomposite membranes were examined by thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, ion exchange capacity, water uptake ability, and proton conductivity. The incorporation of metal oxide into the polymer matrix was confirmed by scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses. The nanocomposite membrane exhibits good thermal stability when compared to that of the pristine membrane and SPEEK with 10 wt% of PSO loading was found to be stable up to 450°C. The assessment of polymer electrolyte membrane is accomplished by fabricating membrane electrode assemblies of pure SPEEK and SP-PSO-10 membranes and the latter produced maximum peak power density of 622 mW cm−2. The constructed SPEEK/PSO nanocomposite membranes offered superior physicochemical properties while applying these materials in an H2-O2 fuel cell.

A novel proton conducting polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell applications

A series of phenolphthalein-based sulfonated poly(ether ether sulfone) (SPEES) membranes were synthesized by aromatic nucleophilic polymerization reaction. The degree of sulfonation was controlled by direct synthesis of sulfonated polymer, which leads to high thermal stability. The physicochemical properties of the SPEES membranes were studied in order to evaluate the suitability of these membranes in fuel cell applications. The ion-exchange capacity of the synthesized SPEES membranes was found in the range between 2.19 mequiv. g−1 and 2.35 mequiv. g−1. The morphology of the membranes was investigated with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and confirmed the presence of hydrophilic domains that impart good proton conductivity. The membrane electrode assembly of SPEES-30 and SPEES-50 membranes has been successfully fabricated, where SPEES-50 produced a maximum peak power density of 643 mW cm−2 while applying in hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell.

UV-crosslinked poly(arylene ether sulfone) – LAPONITE® nanocomposites for proton exchange membranes

UV-crosslinked sulfonated poly(arylene sulfone)/clay nanocomposites are fabricated by incorporating UV-crosslinkable monomers, bridge molecules, and clay nanofillers for high performance proton exchange membrane fuel cells.