Journal
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
Volume 612, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2020.118339
Keywords
Proton exchange membrane; Low humidity; Hygroscopicity; Semi-interpenetrating polymer network; Trifluoromethanesulfonimide
Categories
Funding
- Tsinghua University Initiative Scientific Research Program [52302300119]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
In this study, a super acid with impressive hygroscopicity, 1-[3-(methacryloyloxy)propylsulfonyl]-1-(trifluor-omethanesulfonyl)imide (MPTI), is exploited to improve the proton conductivity of PEMs at low humidity. Importantly, MPTI can deliquesce into an aqueous solution by capturing moisture from air at a considerable rate. Investigation of the hygroscopicity of MPTI and the corresponding mechanism by molecular dynamics simulation show a total interaction energy between MPTI and water of -368.13 kJ mol(-1), which greatly exceeds those of model derivatives with other typical hygroscopic groups. To apply MPTI in PEMs and prevent leakage, MPTI is incorporated into a semi-interpenetrating polymer network via in situ polymerization, and Nafion-based composite membranes are fabricated. The water uptake of the obtained hybrid membranes is substantially increased by up to 66.61% at 40% RH and 90.04% at 95% RH. This optimization of the water environment facilitates the dissociation of protons and the formation of hydrogen bond networks for high-speed proton conduction. As a result, the proton conductivity of the membranes increases by up to two orders of magnitude at low humidity. Notably, this composite membrane enhanced the performance of a single fuel cell at 60% RH by 41.9%.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available