Preparation and characterisation of porous poly(2,5benzimidazole) (ABPBI) membranes using surfactants as templates for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

The first instance synthesis of porous poly(2,5benzimidazole) (ABPBI) membranes using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactants as templates is reported. The membranes were characterised by SEM, TGA, DSC and tensile tests. The tensile test results revealed that the porous ABPBI membranes exhibited unique mechanical properties compared with the original ABPBI membrane. Moreover, the porous ABPBI membranes showed high proton conductivity at 180 °C with high thermal stability when compared with the original ABPBI. A maximum conductivity of 2.23 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ of the porous ABPBI membranes was achieved at 180 °C in dry conditions, double the 1.1 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ obtained in the case of the ABPBI membrane. The porous ABPBI membrane demonstrated excellent properties on mechanical strengths, thermal stability and electrochemical performance when compared with those of the original ABPBI membrane, suggestive of a promising polymer electrolyte for fuel cells at high temperature.