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

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2004

Authors

V. Silva (Author) Other; B. Ruffmann (Author) Other; Silva, H (Author) Other; Adélio Mendes (Author) FEUP; Luís Madeira (Author) FEUP; S. Nunes (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Materials Science Forum

Pages: 587-591

ISSN: 0255-5476

Publisher: Trans Tech Publications Ltd

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 17 Citations

Scopus - 20 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-C4K

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.455-456.587

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 NAFION(R) 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