277b Composite Polybenzimidazole/Polyimide-Clay-H3po4 Membranes for Use in Fuel Cell Applications

Joko Sutrisno1, Alan Fuchs, Yanming Liu2, Barkan Kavlicoglu2, Cahit Evrensel2, and Faramarz Gordaninejad2. (1) Chemical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Chemical Engineering Department, Mailstop 170, Reno, NV 89557-0136, (2) Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Chemical Engineering Department, Mailstop 170, Reno, NV 89557-0136

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) have been prepared using an inorganic/polymer composite membrane. These membranes were formed from polybenzimidazole (PBI) / phosphotungstic acid and commercial polyimide (kapton) / clay-H3PO4. Proton conductivity was measured using AC impedance spectroscopy. A Nyquist plot is generated which shows both real and imaginary resistances. The conductivity is determined from the real resistance. The membrane with 20% wt phosphotungstic acid in PBI was characterized and the proton conductivity was 1.7 x 10-6 S.cm-1 at room temperature and 100% relative humidity. The membrane with 20% wt clay-H3PO4 in commercial polyimide (kapton) has been characterized and it gave proton conductivity of 1.8 x 10-3 S.cm-1 at room temperature and 90% relative humidity. Current synthesis involves the use of supramolecular chemistry for enhanced proton conductivity through the formation of pores and channels in the membrane.


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