Zirconium oxide modified sulfonated poly(ether either ketone) membranes for direct methanol fuel cell applications

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2004

Authors

V. Silva (Author) Other; B. Ruffmann (Author) Other; H. Silva (Author) Other; A. Mendes (Author) FEUP; M. Madeira (Author) FEUP; S. Nunes (Author) Other

Conference proceedings International

Title: Advanced Materials Forum II

Pages: 587-591

2nd International Materials Symposium (Materiais 2003) & XI Encontro da Sociedade Portuguesa de Materiais

Caparica, Portugal, April 14-16, 2003

Indexing

ISI Web of Science

Scopus

INSPEC

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Chemical engineering

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Chemical engineering

Other information

Abstract (EN): In order to perform a critical analysis of the zirconium oxide effects in sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) membranes with two sulfonation degrees (SD), 71 and 87%, the characterization of composite membranes prepared with a systematic variation of the inorganic content is proposed. The method involves preparation of inorganic composite membranes with a wide range of properties which concern water swelling, chemical and thermal stability, methanol and water permeations and, finally, proton conductivity. A good balance between high proton conductivity, good chemical stability and low methanol permeability is reached for the SPEEK polymer with a 7.5% (w/w) ZrO2 content and SD=87%. Compared to NAFIONÆ 112, this membrane is 3-times more selective towards water/methanol permeation and has a similar proton conductivity (81 compared to 88 mS/cm).

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5