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Sulfonic Acid Functionalized Chitosan as a Sustainable Component for Proton Conductivity Management in PEMs
Author(s) -
Ressam Ibtissam,
Krins Natacha,
LabertyRobert Christel,
Selmane Mohamed,
Lahcini Mohammed,
Raihane Mustapha,
Kadib Abdelkrim El,
Perrot Hubert,
Sel Ozlem
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.201601904
Subject(s) - nafion , chitosan , sulfonic acid , proton , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , polymer , chemical engineering , conductivity , membrane , thermal conduction , proton transport , materials science , chemistry , polymer chemistry , organic chemistry , electrochemistry , composite material , electrode , biochemistry , physics , engineering , quantum mechanics
Abstract One of the most fundamental assets of natural polysaccharides is their water storage capacity. Analogically, materials able to regulate water hydration in energetic systems (e.x.: fuel‐cells) are of paramount interest. In light of this key characteristic, chitosan, an aminocarbohydrate derived from shellfish waste, was structurally conjugated using sulfosuccinic acid to afford CS‐SO 3 H. The resulting polymeric material appears well suitable for enhancing proton conduction and tuning the hydrophilic‐hydrophobic balance of the proton exchange membranes (PEM). Consequently, Nafion membrane modified with CS‐SO 3 H presented σ H + values almost 2 times higher than that of pristine Nafion at every % RH level exposed (30 °C ‐ 80 °C and 30% ‐ 90%). The σ H + enhancement is in agreement with the lower activation energy indicating that the proton transport is facilitated in the presence of ‐SO 3 H modified chitosan. We have found indications that –SO 3 H modified chitosan polymer, as a sustainable additive to Nafion is able to control the proton conduction mechanism and keep the activation energy for proton conduction at lower values as compared to pristine Nafion.