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Tensile mechanical properties of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and BPO 4 /SPEEK membranes
Author(s) -
ReynaValencia A.,
Kaliaguine S.,
Bousmina M.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.22417
Subject(s) - membrane , ultimate tensile strength , materials science , ether , composite material , ketone , tensile testing , peek , polymer chemistry , polymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry
A study to evaluate the tensile mechanical properties of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and BPO 4 /SPEEK composite membranes has been carried out. It is aimed to give an assessment of these materials for applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The stress–strain response of the membranes was measured as a function of the degree of sulfonation (DS) and the filler–matrix ratio. In addition, the effects of immersion in water at various temperatures were explored in situ by means of a homemade testing chamber fitted to the tensile analyzer. The results indicate that the DS has an important influence on the final mechanical behavior of the membranes. The introduction of the BPO 4 solid filler leads to deterioration in mechanical performance compared to unfilled SPEEK. A general picture of the microstructural features influencing the mechanical properties of SPEEK and BPO 4 /SPEEK membranes is proposed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 2380–2393, 2005