Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chuan Hu, Na Yoon Kang, Hyun Woo Kang, Ju Yeon Lee, Xiaohua Zhang, Yong Jun Lee, Seung Won Jung, Jong Hyeong Park, Myeong-Geun Kim, Sung Jong Yoo, So Young Lee, Chi Hoon Park, Young Moo Lee
Summary: Researchers have developed a new type of polymer electrolyte for alkaline energy conversion devices using highly rigid triptycene as a branching agent. The electrolyte exhibits excellent conductivity, mechanical properties, anti-swelling ability, and alkaline stability. Fuel cells and water electrolyzers based on this electrolyte demonstrate promising performance, indicating wide application potential.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Adisak Pokprasert, Patrick Theato, Suwabun Chirachanchai
Summary: Proton transfer in polymer electrolyte membrane is a crucial mechanism in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. This study proposes a method to enhance proton conductivity by aligning proton donor and acceptor polymer chains on the membrane surface through surface-initiated polymerization.
Article
Polymer Science
Yunji Xie, Anna Ringuette, Di Liu, Jinhui Pang, Hatice Mutlu, Dominik Voll, Patrick Theato
Summary: The effects of degree of branching and ion exchange capacity on the properties of sulfonated branched polymer proton exchange membranes (PEMs) were systematically compared. Increasing the degree of branching and ion exchange capacity improved water absorption, proton conductivity, single-cell performance, and distribution of hydrophilic phase, but reduced mechanical properties. Increasing the degree of branching also enhanced dimensional stability and oxidative stability, while the impact of ion exchange capacity was the opposite. The optimal polymer membrane had a degree of branching of 7.5% and ion exchange capacity of 1.94 meq g-1, exhibiting the highest proton conductivity and maximum power density, satisfactory dimensional change, and sufficient thermal, oxidative, and mechanical stability. This work serves as a guide for designing and synthesizing sulfonated branched polymer PEMs.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yunji Xie, Di Liu, Anna Ringuette, Jinhui Pang, Hatice Mutlu, Dominik Voll, Patrick Theato
Summary: This study reports the synthesis of highly branched sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone sulfone) copolymers as proton exchange membranes (PEMs), and explores the effects of different branching agent ratios on the membrane properties. Among the fabricated membranes, a 12.5% branching agent ratio PEM exhibited comparable proton conductivity and swelling change to Nafion 117, achieving a balance between proton conductivity and dimensional stability.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Farid Wijaya, Seunghee Woo, Hyejin Lee, Adam F. Nugraha, Dongwon Shin, Byungchan Bae
Summary: In this study, sulfonated multiblock poly(phenylene-co-arylene ether sulfone) (SmPPES) membranes were prepared via Colon's Nickel catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. The membranes showed well-defined phase separation and proton conductivities comparable to or exceeding that of a reference Nafion membrane. The control over sulfonated phenylene and ether sulfone hydrophobic blocks provides new insight into designing high-performance polymer electrolyte membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mamta Kumari, John C. Douglin, Dario R. Dekel
Summary: A series of mechanically robust and highly conducting crosslinked anion-exchange membranes were synthesized using quaternary phosphonium-functionalized poly(ether ether ketone) (QPPEEK) as the base polymer and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as the crosslinker. Among different compositions, the QPPEEK-PEG 20 membrane showed the best properties with high hydroxide conductivity, good mechanical strength, and flexibility. This crosslinked membrane was chemically stable in alkaline environment and performed well in anion-exchange membrane fuel cell applications, indicating the potential of PEEK-based membranes for such applications.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Nur Ain Masleeza Harun, Norazuwana Shaari, Nik Farah Hanis Nik Zaiman
Summary: SPEEK is recognized as a promising alternative PEM in fuel cell applications due to its advantageous properties, but its proton conductivity is influenced by the degree of sulfonation. While high DS of SPEEK can produce high proton conductivity, excessive production of DS may have side effects on membrane stability. Therefore, finding the optimal DS of SPEEK is crucial for fabricating PEM alternatives.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mehran Yousefi Tehrani, Seyed Hesam Mirfarsi, Soosan Rowshanzamir
Summary: In this study, a complex finite element model is developed to investigate the mechanical response of hydrocarbon-based membranes under different fuel cell conditions. The results show that sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) membranes undergo the most severe swelling-induced degradation at low voltages, high temperatures, and backpressure values. Clamping pressure is a dominant factor, and Nafion membranes have a higher risk of wrinkle deformation under compression.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lei Bai, Lingling Ma, Lv Li, Anran Zhang, Xiaoming Yan, Fengxiang Zhang, Gaohong He
Summary: The study reports the synthesis of ether-free polymers with different degrees of Y-shaped branching as AEM materials, which can increase the free volume of the AEM and thus help build ion channels with lower hydroxide ion transport resistance, improving the ionic conductivity.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Quan Peng, Yan Li, Ming Qiu, Benbing Shi, Xueyi He, Chunyang Fan, Xunli Mao, Hong Wu, Zhongyi Jiang
Summary: The long-range proton transfer pathways constructed with HPW@mGO nanosheets integrated into polymers significantly enhance the proton conductivities of the nanohybrid membranes under various humidity conditions. The distinct proton conduction behavior of HPW and IMILs, along with the presence of long-range two-dimensional interfacial ionic pathways, contribute to this enhancement.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. Vidhyeswari, A. Surendhar, S. Bhuvaneshwari
Summary: By incorporating CNTs into the SPEEK membrane, the composite membrane shows improved properties, including water uptake capacity and ion exchange capacity. The power density of the composite membrane is 2 times higher than that of the pristine membrane. The composite membrane with 0.75% CNT-SPEEK exhibits the highest power density.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xingyu Wu, Nanjun Chen, Harm-Anton Klok, Young Moo Lee, Xile Hu
Summary: The research team has successfully prepared high-molecular-weight branched poly(aryl piperidinium) AEMs, which exhibit high OH- conductivity and dimensional stability. The optimized membrane b-PTP-2.5 performs well at 80 degrees Celsius, with high mechanical strength and alkaline stability, as well as achieving good peak power densities in both H-2-O-2 and H-2-air.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ting Wang, Yaping Jin, Tong Mu, Tingting Wang, Jingshuai Yang
Summary: In this study, a DMBP-TB/PEKC/PA blend membrane with high conductivity and mechanical strength was successfully prepared by synthesizing TB polymer and doping with engineering thermoplastic PEKC. This provides a potential solution for the application of high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ruihong Liu, Jin Wang, Xuefu Che, Ting Wang, David Aili, Qingfeng Li, Jingshuai Yang
Summary: This study presents a novel approach to incorporate three different long side-chain basic groups into PEK-Cardo membranes through a lactamization reaction, enhancing their phosphoric acid doping capability and optimizing physicochemical properties for potential high-temperature PEM fuel cell applications.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hu-Geun Kwon, Hongdae Seo, Gaae Yun, Insung Bae
Summary: Multiblock copolymers of PES-b-PSSA are synthesized for fuel cell applications as high-performance proton exchange membranes. The membrane with a ratio of 13 and 22 for PES and PSSA achieves the highest proton conductivity of 3.306 S cm(-1) at 100% RH. The nanostructure of X13Y22 allows increased proton hopping through interconnected sulfonated ionic clusters, resulting in enhanced proton conduction at different RH conditions.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)