Premium
Nanocomposite Membranes based on Polybenzimidazole and ZrO 2 for High‐Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Author(s) -
Nawn Graeme,
Pace Giuseppe,
Lavina Sandra,
Vezzù Keti,
Negro Enrico,
Bertasi Federico,
Polizzi Stefano,
Di Noto Vito
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201403049
Subject(s) - membrane , differential scanning calorimetry , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , thermogravimetric analysis , materials science , chemical engineering , nanocomposite , conductivity , proton transport , polymer chemistry , chemistry , composite material , biochemistry , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
Owing to the numerous benefits obtained when operating proton exchange membrane fuel cells at elevated temperature (>100 °C), the development of thermally stable proton exchange membranes that demonstrate conductivity under anhydrous conditions remains a significant goal for fuel cell technology. This paper presents composite membranes consisting of poly[2,2′‐( m ‐phenylene)‐5,5′‐bibenzimidazole] (PBI4N) impregnated with a ZrO 2 nanofiller of varying content (ranging from 0 to 22 wt %). The structure–property relationships of the acid‐doped and undoped composite membranes have been studied using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, infrared spectroscopy, and broadband electrical spectroscopy. Results indicate that the level of nanofiller has a significant effect on the membrane properties. From 0 to 8 wt %, the acid uptake as well as the thermal and mechanical properties of the membrane increase. As the nanofiller level is increased from 8 to 22 wt % the opposite effect is observed. At 185 °C, the ionic conductivity of [PBI4N(ZrO 2 ) 0.231 ](H 3 PO 4 ) 13 is found to be 1.04×10 −1 S cm −1 . This renders membranes of this type promising candidates for use in high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.