Preparation,characterization and single cell testing of new ionic conducting polymers for fuel cell applications

In this work, heterogeneous sulfonation and both, structural and electrical characterization of a mixture composed on block copolymer ionomers (HSBS and EPDM) and commercial silica, are studied. The incorporation of sulfonic groups was checked by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). Microstructure was studied by means of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Also, water uptake and methanol crossover were determined, and the results were compared with those of Nafion^® 117. Electrical behavior was recorded by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at different hydration times. Results show that sulfonation of the styrene rings has effectively occurred. Conductivity values are similar to Nafion and they improve with hydration time. Methanol crossover is lower than in Nafion.