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Composite anion exchange membrane for alkaline direct methanol fuel cell: Structural and electrochemical characterization
Author(s) -
Huang Aibin,
Xia Chaoyang,
Xiao Chaobo
Publication year - 2006
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.23579
Subject(s) - materials science , membrane , polymer chemistry , electrochemistry , styrene , chemical engineering , pyridinium , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , polymerization , ultimate tensile strength , composite number , ion exchange , polymer , alkaline fuel cell , composite material , copolymer , chemistry , electrode , ion , organic chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
A copolymer of 4‐vinylpyridine (4‐VP) and styrene was synthesized by radical mass polymerization using 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. An insoluble (linear) pyridinium‐type polymer was prepared by the reaction of P (4VP–St) with 1‐bromooctane. An anion exchange membrane was prepared using a composite of pyridinium‐type polymer and a fibrous woven structure for use in electrochemistry. The composite membrane was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, tensile strength, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemistry measurements. The experimental results showed that the fibrous woven product had improved the tensile strength more than had the membrane made of a pyridinium‐type polymer alone. The composite membrane was used in alkaline fuel cells, and its properties were measured by electrochemical analysis. The ionic conductivity of the membrane was acceptable, but its performance as a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) was not. The primary reason for this was analyzed, and research is ongoing, with analysis to be discussed in later reports. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2248–2251, 2006