New Proton Conductive Membranes Based on Acid-Doped Interpenetrating Polymer Networks

摘要

Semi-interpenetrating polymer network (SIPN) membranes were synthesized from polyethyleneimine (PEI) and DGEBA (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A) and immersed in H_3PO_4 solutions in order to obtain proton conductive membranes. The SIPN membranes were characterized by vibrational spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, while the SIPN/H_3PO_4 systems were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Membranes retained water up to 210 °C, with thermal stability higher than 270 °C. Conductivity values were found between 10~(-4) and 10~(-3) Ω~(-1) cm~(-1) increasing for a temperature range between 20 and 80 °C. Activation energy values evidenced the predominance of a vehicular mechanism of proton conduction in the systems and the overall properties of the membranes point to a promising material for application in Fuel Cells.