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Sulfonated poly(ether sulfone)/silica composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cells
Author(s) -
Wen Sheng,
Gong Chunli,
Tsen WenChin,
Shu YaoChi,
Tsai FangChang
Publication year - 2010
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.31699
Subject(s) - membrane , thermogravimetric analysis , materials science , nafion , chemical engineering , methanol fuel , scanning electron microscope , methanol , thermal stability , composite number , polymer chemistry , permeation , direct methanol fuel cell , composite material , chemistry , electrochemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , electrode , anode , engineering
A series of sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (SPES)/silica composite membranes were prepared by sol–gel method using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) hydrolysis. Physico–chemical properties of the composite membranes were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive X‐ray (SEM–EDX), and water uptake. Compared to a pure SPES membrane, SiO 2 doping in the membranes led to a higher thermal stability and water uptake. SEM–EDX indicated that SiO 2 particles were uniformly embedded throughout the SPES matrix. Proper silica loadings (below 5 wt %) in the composite membranes helped to inhibit methanol permeation. The permeability coefficient of the composite membrane with 5 wt % SiO 2 was 1.06 × 10 −7 cm 2 /s, which was lower than that of the SPES and just one tenth of that of Nafion® 112. Although proton conductivity of the composite membranes decreased with increasing silica content, the selectivity (the ratio of proton conductivity and methanol permeability) of the composite membrane with 5 wt % silica loading was higher than that of the SPES and Nafion® 112 membrane. This excellent selectivity of SPES/SiO 2 composite membranes could indicate a potential feasibility as a promising electrolyte for direct methanol fuel cell. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010