Synthesis And Characterization Of Cross-linked Quaternized Poly(vinyl Alcohol)/chitosan Composite Anion Exchange Membranes For Fuel Cells

摘要

Novel cross-linked composite membranes were synthesized to investigate their applicability in anion exchange membrane fuel cells. These membranes consist of quaternized poly( vinyl alcohol) (QAPVA) and quaternized chitosan (2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan, HACC) with glutaralde-hyde as the cross-linking reagent. The membranes were characterized in term of their water content, ion exchange capacity (IEC), ion conductivity and methanol permeability. FTIR, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also used to investigate the relation between the structure and performance of the composite membranes. The composite membranes have a high conductivity (10~(-3) to 10~(-2) Scm~(-1)), and a low methanol permeability (from 5.68 × 10~(-7) to 4.42 × 10~(-6)cm~2s~(-1)) at 30℃. After reviewing all pertinent characteristics of the membranes, we find that the membrane structure is the principal factor affecting the conductivity and methanol permeability of these membranes.