Sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) electrolyte membranes cross-linked via proton conductive cross-linker for enhanced conduction and stability

摘要

A series of cross-linked sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) (SPAEK) were synthesized to prepare polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells. Proton conductive cross-linkers were introduced in membrane fabrication to enhance chemical, mechanical, and thermal stability without losing proton conductivity. The cross-linked membranes prepared showed little swelling and thus kept dimensional stability in hot water. The proton conductivity of the cross-linked SPAEK membranes was much higher than Nafion~® 117, even with a 15% degree of cross-linking. The ion cluster dimension of the CSPAEK membranes was analyzed using SAXS. The resulting membrane properties were well explained by the SAXS patterns. Those membranes are expected to be good alternatives to Nafion~® series membranes in polymer electrolyte fuel cell applications.