Double cross-linked polyetheretherketone proton exchange membrane for fuel cell

摘要

The proton exchange membrane based on polyetheretherketone was prepared via two steps of cross-linking. The properties of the double cross-linked membrane (water uptake, proton conductivity, methanol permeability and thermal stability) have been investigated for fuel cell applications. The prepared membrane exhibited relatively high proton conductivity, 3.2 × 10~(-2) S cm~(-1) at room temperature and 5.8 ×10~(-2) S cm~(-1)at 80 ℃. The second cross-linking significantly decreased the water uptake of the membrane. The performance of direct methanol fuel cell was slightly improved as compared to Nation~® 117 due to its low methanol permeability. The results indicated that the double cross-linked membrane is a promising candidate for the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, especially for the direct methanol fuel cell due to its low methanol permeability and high stability in a methanol solution.