Dukjoon Kim
Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea
Title: Structure and properties of polymer electrolyte membranes based on poly(arylene ether ketone) for fuel cell application
Biography
Biography: Dukjoon Kim
Abstract
Sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) (SPAEK) fuel cell membranes were prepared in a variety of structures including cross-linked, random and multi-block copolymers to enhance dimensional and mechanical stability as well as proton conductivity. Hygroscopic mesoporous conductors were embedded in the membranes to lessen their dehydration in the low humid environment. Organosiloxane network was introduced to form interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) structures to adjust the elongational strength of the membranes. Synthesis of SPAEK and its precursor was confirmed using 1H-NMR spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy. The effects of degree of sulfonation, hygroscopic conductors and organosiloxane network on several essential membranes properties such as proton conductivity, methanol crossover, and thermal and mechanical stability were analyzed. Those properties were correlated with the phase separation behavior investigated employing SAXS and AFM. The prepared SPAEK membranes were thermally stable up to 250oC without any chemical degradation. While the SPAEK membranes containing hygroscopic proton conductors exhibited superior conductivity to that of Nafion®117, those showed lower methanol permeability and no mechanical failure.