Characterization and application of composite membranes in DMFC

摘要: The present work focuses on the characterization of membranes for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC), prepared using composites sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (sPEEK, with sulfonation degree, SD, 42 and 68%) as polymer matrix. This was inorganically modified incorporating different amounts zirconium phosphate (ZrPh) pretreated n-propylamine polybenzimidazole (PBI). investigated properties were: proton conductivity, water aqueous swelling, permeability coefficients DMFC species morphology. tests were performed at 110 °C relative humidity (r.h.) in cathode feed 100 138%. results obtained show that inorganic modification decreases swelling towards species. In terms morphology, it found applied procedure enabled preparation good compatibility between organic components. composite membranes, working 100% r.h., unmodified sPEEK membrane SD = 42% proved to have best performance, although higher crossover. contrast, r.h. 138%, performance achieved by 68 20.0 wt.% ZrPh 11.2 PBI.