Synthesis and characterization of a novel proton‐exchange membrane for fuel cells operating at high temperatures and low humidities |
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| Authors: | Ching‐Nan Chuang Liang Chao Ying‐Jie Huang Tar‐Hwa Hsieh Hung‐Yi Chuang Shu‐Chi Lin Ko‐Shan Ho |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Chemical and Material Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, 415 Chien‐Kuo Road, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;2. Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University, Section 1, 4 Roosevelt Road, Taipei, Taiwan;3. Center for General Education, Technology and Science Institute of Northern Taiwan, Peito, Taipei 11202, Taiwan;4. Institute of Nanotechnology, National Chiao Tung University, 1001 Ta Hsueh Road, Hsinchu, Taiwan;5. Group of Bio‐Instructor, Madou Junior High School, 36 Nan‐Shi District, Madou, Tainan County 721, Taiwan |
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| Abstract: | The synthesis of a p‐toluidine/formaldehyde (PTF) resin was performed, and the effects of the molar ratio of the individual monomers and the polymerization conditions on the structure of the PTF resin were studied. Fourier transform infrared and 13C‐NMR spectra were used to characterize the PTF. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed the crystalline structures of various PTFs. Polarized optical microscopy revealed that the molar ratio of the monomers had a strong effect on the crystalline morphologies. A longer polymerization time turned out a polymer with a higher intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight, which led to differences in the proton conductivity. All of the PTFs showed a higher proton conductivity than a commercial Nafion membrane at 90–100°C and 0% relative humidity. The proton conductivity of the PTF series could be improved by sulfonation with sulfuric acid and could be maintained after blending with polyurethane. Pure methanol could be used as a fuel source because of the insolubility and nonwetting properties of PTF in methanol to increase the output current density for a PTF membrane electrode assembly. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008 |
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| Keywords: | membranes resins solid state structure |
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