Novel sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)s containing nitrile groups and their composite membranes for fuel cells

作者:Guo, Meimei; Liu, Baijun; Guan, Shaowei; Li, Long; Liu, Chang; Zhang, Yunhe; Jiang, Zhenhua*
来源:Journal of Power Sources, 2010, 195(15): 4613-4621.
DOI:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.02.036

摘要

A series of novel sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)s containing a cyanophenyl group (SPEEKCNxx) are prepared based on (4-cyano)phenylhydroquinone via nucleophilic substitution polycondensation reactions. To further improve their properties, novel composite membranes composed of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)s containing cyanophenyl group as an acidic component and aminated poly(aryl ether ketone) as a basic component are successfully prepared. Most of the membranes exhibit excellent thermal, oxidative and dimensional stability, low-swelling ratio, high proton conductivity, low methanol permeability and high selectivity. The proton conductivities of the membranes are close to Nation 117 at room temperature. And especially, the values of SPEEKCN40 and its composite membranes are higher than Nation 117 at 80 degrees C (0.17 S cm(-1) of Nation. 0.265 cm(-1) of SPEEKCN40, 0.20 S cm(-1) of SPEEKCN40-1, and 0.18 S cm(-1) of SPEEKCN40-2). Moreover, the methanol permeability is one order magnitude lower than that of Nation 117. All the data prove that both copolymers and their composite membranes may be potential proton exchange membrane for fuel cells applications.