Open Conference Systems, International Conference on Electrochemical Energy and Technology

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Hybrid anion-exchange membranes derived from quaternized polysulfone and functionalized titanium dioxide
Yi Zhu, Chaorong Chen, Danying Zuo, Hongwei Zhang

Last modified: 2014-10-08

Abstract


Polysulfone is modified via chloromethylation and TiO2 is functionalized by three modification reagents (anionic surfactant, 1,3-propane sultone and Dopamine). Based them, a series of promising organic-inorganic hybrid membranesn for anion-exchange membrane fuel cells have been prepared by incorporating functionalized TiO2 submicrospheres into the chloromethylated polysulfone, subsequent quaternization and alkalization. The chloromethylation process is confirmed by Nuclear magnetic resonancespectra. The functionalization of TiO2 is proved through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric analysis. The quaternization is testified by contact angle measurement. Associated characteristics of the hybrid membranes were investigated, including water upatke, swelling behavior, mechanical property and ion conductivity. Compared with other anion-exchange membranes, the hybrid membranes containing 5% TiO2 with –SO3H groups exhibits higher ionic conductivity because of the acid-base ionic interactions between the inorganic filler and polymer chains. It demonstrates an ionic conductivity of 3.13×10-2 S/cm and an acceptable alkaline solution stability at 60 oC.


Keywords


Quaternized polysulfone; Functionalized titanium dioxide; Hydroxide ion conductivity

References


[1] Pivovar B. 2006 Alkaline Membrane Fuel Cell Workshop Final Report, can be found under http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/amfc_dec2006_workshop_report.pdf.

[2] Fang J, Zhang Y, Wu Y. Preparation and Characterization of fluoropolymer anion exchange membrane for alkaline direct methanol fuel cells. Energy Procedia. 2012;14:133-6.


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