Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Funda Arslan, Khajidkhand Chuluunbandi, Anna T. S. Freiberg, Attila Kormanyos, Ferit Sit, Serhiy Cherevko, Jochen Kerres, Simon Thiele, Thomas Boehm
Summary: A new ion-pair-coordinated membrane (IPM) system with quaternary ammonium groups for high-temperature proton-exchange membrane fuel cells is introduced, showing reduced swelling and better mechanical properties upon doping. The best-performing IPM-based HT-PEMFC achieves higher power density compared to conventional PBI membranes, making them promising candidates for application in this field.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenhao Li, Jingjing Jiang, Hongli An, Shu Dong, Zhouying Yue, Huidong Qian, Hui Yang
Summary: This study reports the preparation of self-crosslinked sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) with pendant sulfoalkoxy side chains, which exhibit excellent proton conductivity and outperform traditional Nafion 212 in single cell performance.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Qingting Liu, Xiaohe Wang, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Zhiwei Ling, Wenzhuo Wu, Xudong Fu, Rong Zhang, Shengfei Hu, Xiao Li, Feng Zhao, Xujin Bao
Summary: Polyethyleneimine-filled sepiolite nanorods (PEI@SNR)-embedded poly(2,5-benzimidazole) composites (ABPBI/PEI@SNR) were synthesized to enhance the proton conductivity and stability of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The composite membranes showed improved thermal stability and achieved high proton conductivities from room temperature to 200 degrees C. The cell performance of the composite membrane-based PEMFCs was significantly better than previously reported zeolite-embedded membranes.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xin Su, Jin Wang, Shicheng Xu, Dengji Zhang, Ronghuan He
Summary: By using free radical inhibitor groups and dense cross-linked structure, anion exchange membranes with high chemical stability were successfully prepared. The membranes exhibit excellent resistance against OH attack and high hydroxide conductivity, and can achieve high power density under appropriate conditions.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tiantian Xie, Yang Pang, Hang Fan, Shiyang Zhu, Chengji Zhao, Shaowei Guan, Hongyan Yao
Summary: In this study, a molecular engineering strategy was used to optimize the microphase morphology of sulfonated polyimides (SPIs) by changing the molecular structure and volume of hydrophobic cross-linkable diamine and introducing a hydrophobic network structure. Three cross-linked SPIs with similar ion-exchange capacity but different main-chain structures were prepared. It was found that the membranes with larger molecular volume and containing hydrophobic structural units exhibited more pronounced phase separation morphology and higher proton conductivity. Among them, CSPI-AP-10 showed the best performance, with high proton conductivity and excellent methanol resistance. The CSPI-AP-10 membranes assembled into direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) demonstrated high power density in both 2 M and 10 M methanol solutions. CSPI-AP-10 is considered a promising candidate as a polymer electrolyte membrane for DMFC applications.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ping Li, Hui Guo, Peng Sun, Xulei Zhi, Zhongfang Li
Summary: To enhance the proton conductivity and oxidative stability of the proton exchange membrane, a strategy utilizing cross-linked polyoxy(etidronic acid)phazenes with m-polybenzimidazole membranes (POHP-mPBI) is proposed. The POHP-mPBI cross-linked membranes exhibit good proton conductivity, mechanical strength, oxidative stability, and low transmembrane permeability. The incorporation of proton conductors (POHP) into the PBI matrix by cross-linking is an effective method to improve the performance of high-temperature proton exchange membranes (HT-PEMs).
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jinwu Peng, Xianzhu Fu, Jingli Luo, Yi Liu, Lei Wang, Xiaojun Peng
Summary: Compared to linear polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes, cross-linked phosphoric acid (PA)-PBI membranes offer greater potential for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) due to their superior mechanical strength. However, the challenge lies in achieving high-performance cross-linked PA-PBI membranes, which is addressed in this study by covalently cross-linking PBI using 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4-methyl-phenol (BHMP) as a cross-linking agent. The optimized covalently cross-linked network shows high proton conductivity and excellent fuel cell performance, making it a promising candidate for HT-PEMFC applications.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jin Zhang, Ya-Ru Kong, Yangyang Liu, Hong-Bin Luo, Yang Zou, Shuang-Quan Zang, Xiao-Ming Ren
Summary: The development of fast proton-conducting materials with high chemical stability above 100 degrees C is challenging but crucial for PEMFCs. In this study, a benzimidazole-linked COF (PBI-COF) was successfully employed as a fast proton conductor above 100 degrees C for PEMFC applications. The PBI-COF demonstrated excellent proton conductivity, low water swelling, and long-term durability, surpassing many reported proton conductors.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tao Wang, Si Li, Tanner Corrado, Lingyu Yang, Jennifer L. Schaefer, Ruilan Guo
Summary: A facile design of sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) multi-block copolymer membranes with selectively cross-linked hydrophobic domains for proton exchange membranes was developed. The cross-linked membranes showed significantly improved dimensional stability and proton conductivity compared to the cross-linked random copolymers. The cross-linked multiblock copolymer membrane outperformed Nafion over the full relative humidity range at the highest ion exchange capacity level and the longest block length.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Weihui Cui, Peng Sun, Ping Li, Lei Zhang, Xulei Zhi, Qiang Liu, Zhongfang Li
Summary: The structure and properties of the self-covalent cross-linked chloromethylated polybenzimidazole (cCM-mPBI) and sulfonated polynaphthoxyphosphazene (SPNPP) composite membranes are studied. The results indicate that the self-covalent cross-linking structure improves the mechanical properties of the composite membranes and facilitates the formation of a greater level of ionic and hydrogen bonds. The high content of sulfonic acid groups, good compatibility with CM-mPBI, more alkaline sites exposed by self-cross-linking, exemption of nonconductive cross-linking agents, and a more compact hydrogen bond network synergistically contribute to the good proton conductivity of the composite membrane.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Jingmei Xu, Lingxin Meng, Qingyuan Shi, Qiang Ren, Zhe Wang
Summary: In this study, sulfonated poly (ether ketone sulfone)s polymers with long sulfonic acid alkyl side chains and amino groups were successfully prepared and cross-linked membranes were obtained. These cross-linked composite membranes showed excellent properties, including good mechanical properties, methanol resistance and thermal stability. The water uptake, dimensional stability and proton conductivity of the membrane were effectively improved. Therefore, these long-side chains functionalized cross-linked sulfonated poly (ether ketone sulfone)s proton exchange membranes have potential applications in fuel cells.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fei Xu, Ke Qiu, Jing Li, Bencai Lin, Jianning Ding
Summary: In this study, PPO-based cross-linked anion exchange membranes with flexible, long-chain, bis-imidazolium cation cross-linkers were designed and synthesized. These membranes exhibit high IEC values, low swelling degree, good mechanical strength, high conductivity, and high power density, making them potentially applicable in alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells. Additionally, the BMImH-PPO samples showed good chemical stability under harsh conditions, with only minor decreases in IEC and conductivity, indicating their promising practical use.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ping Li, Hui Guo, Yanan Lv, Lei Zhang, Peng Sun, Zhongfang Li
Summary: The study focuses on improving the comprehensive properties of high-temperature proton exchange membranes (HTPEM) under wide relative humidity. A new composite membrane is developed with suitable functional groups for proton transfer at high and low humidity, resulting in improved film-forming property, mechanical strength, oxidative stability, and proton conductivity.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinyu Li, Zhongxin Zhang, Zheng Xie, Xinrui Guo, Tianjian Yang, Zhongli Li, Mei Tu, Huaxin Rao
Summary: The introduction of inorganic additives or nanoparticles into fluorine-free proton exchange membranes can improve proton conductivity and have significant effects on the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. In this study, novel cross-linked PEM and nanocomposite PEMs were prepared using a sol-gel method and in situ polycondensation. The incorporation of Pt-TiO2 nanoparticles enhanced self-humidifying and thermal stability, while the presence of GO polymer brushes improved proton conductivity and reduced methanol permeability.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Qingting Liu, Chunyong Xiong, Hongying Shi, Lele Liu, Xiaohe Wang, Xudong Fu, Rong Zhang, Shengfei Hu, Xujin Bao, Xiao Li, Feng Zhao, Chenxi Xu
Summary: Novel proton carriers, called halloysite ionogels (IL@HNTs), were prepared by filling the ionic liquid (IL) into the inorganic framework of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) to replace free phosphoric acid (PA) in polybenzimidazole membranes. The composite membranes showed excellent proton conductivity and mechanical strength from ambient temperature to 180 degrees C, and can absorb PA. This approach broadens the application temperature range of existing proton-exchange membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Xuefeng Li, Haidan Lin, Hao Jiang, Yizhu Zhang, Binghui Liu, Yinan Sun, Chengji Zhao
Summary: This study prepared a series of sustainable epoxy resin/diatomite composites with synthetic bio-based matrix resin and silanized natural diatomite filler, showing significantly improved mechanical and thermal stability after the incorporation of diatomite.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Zhuang Zhuang, Yunfeng Li, Xifang Li, Chengji Zhao
Summary: A novel humidity sensor based on polymer-salt complexes was developed in this study. By introducing PEG flexible segments into PEEK-co-PEG copolymers, the hysteresis effect of humidity sensors can be significantly reduced, and by doping LiCl, the sensitivity and response speed of the sensors can be improved.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lichao Shang, Dan Yao, Bohao Pang, Chengji Zhao
Summary: The presence of N-spirocyclic quaternary ammonium (QA) cations was found to enhance the alkaline stability of anion exchange membrane materials (AEM). By introducing N-spirocyclic QA cations and bulky spacers into the phenyl side chains simultaneously, the performance of AEM was improved, resulting in higher hydroxide conductivity and peak power density in fuel cells. Factors such as the presence of ether bonds in the main chain also play a role in alkaline stability, making this study a valuable reference for molecular design of AEMs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jialin Li, Xuzhou Tian, Chunlei Xia, Yuting Duan, Yi-Nan Sun, Binghui Liu, Liming Wu, Chunyu Ru, Shi-Tong Zhang, Chengji Zhao
Summary: By regulating the polarity of hydrophobic domains, the aggregation and connection of hydrophilic ion clusters during membrane formation were indirectly varied, enabling orderly self-assembly and homogeneously distributed microphase structures.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yuting Duan, Chunyu Ru, Jialin Li, Yi-nan Sun, Xingtong Pu, Binghui Liu, Bohao Pang, Chengji Zhao
Summary: The MNCS functionalized MOF showed promising potential in improving proton conductivity and power density in direct methanol fuel cells, due to its unique structure and interaction with the SPAEK membrane. The incorporation of MNCS in the hybrid membranes enhanced proton transport channels and overall membrane performance, demonstrating significant improvements over pristine membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gang Wang, Jialin Li, Haibin Li, Haibo He, Liang Zhai, Xiang Li, Tingting Li, Chengji Zhao, Lixin Wu, Haolong Li
Summary: In this study, robust high-temperature proton exchange membranes (PEMs) were fabricated based on the in situ electrostatic crosslinking of polyoxometalates and polymers. A comb copolymer poly(ether-ether-ketone)-grafted-poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PGE) with transformable side chains was complexed with H3PW12O40 (PW) by electrostatic self-assembly, forming PGE/PW nanocomposite membranes with bicontinuous nanostructures. Subsequent PA-treatment resulted in PGE/PW/PA ternary nanocomposites with in situ electrostatic crosslinking effect, exhibiting excellent anhydrous proton conductive ability and high mechanical performance.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yuting Duan, Chunyu Ru, Yang Pang, Jialin Li, Binghui Liu, Chengji Zhao
Summary: Reinforcing Nafion membrane with a crosslinked quaternized poly (arylene ether ketone) (PAEK) nanofiber mat can overcome the issue of severe methanol crossover in DMFCs, allowing for the use of highly concentrated methanol solutions.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Minghao Zeng, Wenqi Liu, Haikun Guo, Tingting Li, Qijia Li, Chengji Zhao, Xiaojin Li, Haolong Li
Summary: This study presents a strategy to prepare high-temperature proton exchange membranes (HT-PEMs) using polyoxometalate (POM)-dominated noncovalent cross-linking and H3PO4-induced post-assembly. The resulting membranes exhibit excellent mechanical strength and proton conductivity, making them suitable for high-temperature supercapacitors and fuel cells.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Binghui Liu, Tingting Li, Qijia Li, Siyuan Zhu, Yuting Duan, Jialin Li, Haiqiu Zhang, Chengji Zhao
Summary: By introducing hydrophilic groups into the polymer, the dimensional stability and ion selectivity of cross-linked anion exchange membranes can be effectively improved.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Tiantian Xie, Yang Pang, Hang Fan, Shiyang Zhu, Chengji Zhao, Shaowei Guan, Hongyan Yao
Summary: In this study, a molecular engineering strategy was used to optimize the microphase morphology of sulfonated polyimides (SPIs) by changing the molecular structure and volume of hydrophobic cross-linkable diamine and introducing a hydrophobic network structure. Three cross-linked SPIs with similar ion-exchange capacity but different main-chain structures were prepared. It was found that the membranes with larger molecular volume and containing hydrophobic structural units exhibited more pronounced phase separation morphology and higher proton conductivity. Among them, CSPI-AP-10 showed the best performance, with high proton conductivity and excellent methanol resistance. The CSPI-AP-10 membranes assembled into direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) demonstrated high power density in both 2 M and 10 M methanol solutions. CSPI-AP-10 is considered a promising candidate as a polymer electrolyte membrane for DMFC applications.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Shasha Tang, Haidan Lin, Kai Dong, Jun Zhang, Chengji Zhao
Summary: This paper presents a novel guaiacol-based epoxy resin prepared from renewable resources, which showed good thermal stability and mechanical properties. The carbon fiber reinforced composites using this resin could be efficiently dissolved and recycled in a closed loop, without altering the carbon fibers. This work contributes to the development of guaiacol-based renewable functional materials and provides a feasible and economical way for recycling and reprocessing carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuting Duan, Yang Pang, Binghui Liu, Liming Wu, Xinyue Hu, Qijia Li, Chengji Zhao
Summary: In this study, a CeO2-anchored bifunctionalized metal-organic framework (CeO2-MNCS) was prepared and used as a synergistic filler to modify the Nafion matrix. The hybrid membranes demonstrated high proton conductivity and durability, achieving a high power density and low OCV decay ratio. This study provides an effective strategy to develop highly durable proton exchange membranes without sacrificing proton conductivity.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yang Pang, Yuting Duan, Qijia Li, Binghui Liu, Qian Liu, Chengji Zhao
Summary: Membrane durability is a crucial factor for the development of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. By incorporating hindered amine radical scavengers, the performance and durability of the membrane can be significantly improved, resulting in enhanced proton conductivity and mechanical strength.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Yurong Zhang, Haidan Lin, Kai Dong, Shasha Tang, Chengji Zhao
Summary: A series of epoxy resins containing trifluoromethyl groups were synthesized and cured with diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) and aminophenyl sulfone (DDS). The epoxy resins exhibited excellent thermal stability, with high glass transition temperatures and weight loss temperatures. DDS-cured epoxy resins had higher thermal stability, while DDM-cured epoxy resins showed better mechanical, dielectric, and hydrophobic properties. The results suggest that incorporating trifluoromethyl pendant groups into epoxy resins can improve their dielectric and hydrophobic performance.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xinyue Hu, Yue Ao, Yuetong Gao, Binghui Liu, Chengji Zhao
Summary: In this work, a novel class of phosphoric acid (PA) doped high temperature proton exchange membranes (HT-PEMs) based on triazole-functionalized poly(arylene perfluorophenyl)s were developed. These membranes exhibited high proton conductivity, low swelling, and superior oxidation stability, making them promising for application in high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
