Property improvement of nanocellulose‐reinforced proton exchange nanocomposite membrane coated with tetraethyl orthosilicate

Study on proton exchange membrane (PEM) with the aim toward excellent battery performance of PEM for fuel cells has attracted increasing attention. In this work, nanocellulose (CNC) aminated by KH792 noted as NN was prepared. CNC or NN/sulfophenylated poly(ether ether ketone ketone) (sPEEKK) nanocomposite membrane (SN) or (SNN) were produced by solution mixing. SNN was further coated with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to obtain SNNT. The properties of sPEEKK, SN, SNN, and SNNT membranes were thoroughly investigated. The proton conductivity of SN4 was 0.22 S·cm^?1 at 90 °C, while a proton conductivity of 0.30 S·cm^?1 was obtained for SNN4, and an even higher value of 0.36 S·cm^?1 at 90 °C was obtained for the TEOS‐coated SNN4 (SNN4T). Meanwhile, SNN4T showed high thermal stability, and its T_d5 was as high as 318.2 °C. Furthermore, the composite membrane coated with TEOS also presented excellent oxidative stability. The mass of SNN2T after treated in Fenton agent for 1 h at 80 °C was still retained 96.2%, and it was not fully dissolved until 11 h. It was illustrated that aminated CNC/sPEEKK nanocomposite membranes coated with TEOS is a kind of promising materials as PEMs for fuel cells. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2190–2200     

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) composite membranes based on amino-modified halloysite nanotubes that effectively immobilize phosphotungstic acid

In this work, we prepared amino-modified halloysite nanotubes (PEI-DHNTs) via the co-deposition of self-polymerized dopamine and polyethylenimine (PEI) on the surface of nanotubes, which was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A series of composite proton exchange membranes (PEMs) were prepared by incorporating PEI-DHNTs and phosphotungstic acid (HPW) into sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK). It was found that both PEI-DHNTs and HPW were well dispersed in the polymer matrix, exhibiting excellent filler-matrix compatibility. The composite membranes demonstrated enhanced proton conductivity, reaching as high as 0.078 S cm⁻¹ with 33.3 wt.% HPW loading, which was ~90% higher than that of SPEEK control membrane. Such improvement was mainly attributed to the strong acid–base pairs formed by PEI-DHNT with both SPEEK and HPW, which shortened proton hopping distance and created more continuous proton conduction pathways. Furthermore, the membrane conductivity remained almost constant after 1 year's immersion in liquid water, indicating the successful immobilization of HPW in the composite membranes.     

直接甲醇燃料电池中的膜性能比较

制备了磺化聚醚醚酮(SPEEK)和磺化酚酞型聚醚砜(SPES-C)两种质子交换膜,考察了其质子导电和阻醇性能.实验发现,两种新型质子交换膜具有一定的化学稳定性和质子电导率,尤其在高温下两种新膜的质子电导率与Nafion膜接近.两种新膜的甲醇透过系数要比Nafion膜的低1～2个数量级.分别以两种新型膜和Nafion115膜为电解质制备了直接甲醇燃料电池膜电极,讨论了膜材料的性能对直接甲醇燃料电池性能的影响.结果表明,膜材料的阻醇性越好,电池的开路电压越高;膜的电导率越高,在较高电流密度区域内电池的性能越好.     

Carboxyl-functionalized Nanocellulose Reinforced Nanocomposite Proton Exchange Membrane

Nanocellulose(NCC) was prepared through the acid hydrolysis of microcellulose(MCC) and was reacted with maleic anliydride to obtain carboxyl-functionized nanocellulose(MA-NCCs). The presence of .OH and .SO3H on the surface of rod-like MA-NCC was confirmed by Fourier transfonn infrared spectrometry(FTIR). Sulfonated poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone)(Ph-SPEEKK) was synthesized with bis(4-fluorophenyl-methanone) and 2-phenylhydroquinone as monomer. MA-NCC/Ph-SPEEKK nanocomposite membranes with different MA-NCCs content were prepared, and their properties were characterized. Compared with Ph-SPEEKK, MA-NCC/Ph-SPEEKK nanocomposite membrane showed better mechanical and thermal properties and higher proton conductivity. The proton conductivity of the composite membrane with 4%(mass fraction) MA-NCCs under 80℃ was 0.095 S/cm. And its tensile strength reached 30.3 MPa, which was 21.2% higher than that of Ph-SPEEKK pure polymer membrane.     

含氨基聚芳醚酮/磺化聚芳醚酮砜中高温质子交换复合膜的制备与性能研究

以自制的高磺化度磺化聚芳醚酮砜(SPAEKS)和含有氨基的聚芳醚酮(Am-PAEK)为原料,通过共溶剂涂膜法制备了不同重量比例的Am-PAEK/SPAEKS复合膜.通过高温(160℃)处理使氨基和磺酸基团在复合膜内形成交联,制得交联型复合膜.复合膜的热性能、尺寸稳定性、阻醇性能有所提高,而且交联型复合膜中的Am-PAEK/SPAEKS-C-3质子传导率在120℃时达到了0.0892 S/cm,高于在相同测试条件下SPAEKS膜的0.0654 S/cm和Nafion膜的0.062 S/cm,而其甲醇渗透系数在25℃时达到0.14×10-6cm2/s,低于SPAEKS膜的0.85×10-6cm2/s和Nafion膜的2×10-6cm2/s.实验结果表明,Am-PAEK/SPAEKS交联型复合膜有望在中高温质子交换膜燃料电池中得到应用.     

Preliminary evaluation of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)/monoethanolamine/adipic acid composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cell applications

A series of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)/monoethanolamine/adipic acid (SPEEK/MEA/AA) composite membranes are prepared and investigated to assess their possibility as proton exchange membranes in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). A preliminary evaluation shows that introducing MEA and AA into SPEEK matrix decreases the thermal stability of membrane. However, the degradation temperatures are still above 260 °C, satisfying the requirement for fuel cell operation. Compared with the pure SPEEK membrane, the composite membranes exhibit not only lower water uptake and swelling ratios but also better mechanical property and oxidative stability. Noticeably, the methanol diffusion coefficient of the composite membranes decrease significantly from 3.15 × 10^?6 to 0.76 × 10^?6 cm²/s with increasing MEA and AA content, accompanied by only a small sacrifice in proton conductivity. Although both the methanol diffusion coefficient and the proton conductivity of composite membranes are lower than those of pure SPEEK and Nafion® 117 membranes, their selectivity (conductivity/methanol diffusion coefficient) are higher. In addition, the composite membranes show excellent stability in aqueous methanol solution. The good thermal and chemical stability, low swelling ratio, excellent mechanical property, low methanol diffusion coefficient, and high selectivity make the use of these composite membranes in DMFCs quite attractive. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2871–2879, 2007     

Preparation and Properties of Hybrid Silane-crosslinked Sulfonated Poly(aryl ether ketone)s as Proton Exchange Membranes

A series of novel organic-inorganic hybrid proton-conducting electrolyte membranes with silane-crosslinked sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone)(SC-SPAEK) networks was prepared via a simple procedure that includes solution casting and acid treatment. The organosilicon pendants of the silane-grafted SPAEK, which were expected to serve as coupling and crosslinking agents, were found to play a key role in the homogenous dispersion of inorganic particles and improved the performance of hybrid membranes. The hybrid membranes exhibited enhanced proton conductivity, and SC-SPAEK/TiO2-4 showed an extremely high proton conductivity of 0.1472 S/cm at 100℃. The crosslinked hybrid membranes also demonstrated good chemical resistance, oxidative stability, and mechanical properties. The crosslinked hybrid membranes with excellent comprehensive performance may be a promising material for proton exchange membrane fuel cells.     

Novel sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone)/silica coated carbon nanotubes high‐performance composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cell

The major risk of using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to modify proton exchange membranes (PEMs) in fuel cells is possible short‐circuiting due to the excellent electrical conductivity of CNTs. In this article, silica‐coated CNTs (SiO₂@CNTs) were successfully prepared by a simple sol–gel process and then used as a new additive in the preparation of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK)‐based composite membranes. The insulated and hydrophilic silica coated on the surface of CNTs not only eliminated the risk of short‐circuiting, but also enhanced the interfacial interaction between CNTs and SPEEK, and hence promoted the homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the SPEEK matrix. Moreover, compared to the methanol permeability of the pure SPEEK membrane (3.42 × 10^?7 cm² s^?1), the SPEEK/SiO₂@CNT composite membrane with a SiO₂@CNT loading of 5 wt% exhibits almost one order of magnitude decrease of methanol crossover, while the proton conductivity still remained above 10^?2 S cm^?1 at room temperature. The obtained results expose the possibility of SPEEK/SiO₂@CNT membranes to be served as high‐performance PEMs in direct methanol fuel cells. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks toward sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) membranes for high concentration direct methanol fuel cell

Semi-IPNs were constructed by forming the crosslinking networks via the reaction between BPPO and diamine cross-linkers to overcome the dimensional swelling and methanol-permeation issues of SPEEK.     

Sulfonated poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone)s containing fluorinated moieties as proton exchange membrane materials

A series of sulfonated poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone)s statistical copolymers with high molecular weights were synthesized via an aromatic nucleophilic substitution polymerization. The sulfonation content (SC), defined as the number of sulfonic acid groups contained in an average repeat unit, could be controlled by the feed ratios of monomers. Flexible and strong membranes in sodium sulfonate form could be prepared by the solution casting method, and readily transformed to their proton forms by treating them in 2 N sulfuric acid. The polymers showed high T_gs, which increased with an increase in SC. Membranes prepared from the present sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone ketone) copolymers containing the hexafluoroisopropylidene moiety (SPEEKK‐6F) and copolymers containing the pendant 3,5‐ditrifluoromethylphenyl moiety (SPEEKK‐6FP) had lower water uptakes and lower swelling ratios in comparison with previously prepared copolymers containing 6F units. All of the polymers possessed proton conductivities higher than 1 × 10^?2 S/cm at room temperature, and proton conductivity values of several polymers were comparable to that of Nafion at high relative humidity. Their thermal stability, oxidative stability, and mechanical properties were also evaluated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2299–2310, 2006     

磺化侧苯基杂萘联苯聚醚酮酮的合成与性能

以4-(3-苯基-4-羟基苯基)-2,3-二氮杂萘-1-酮(DHPZ-P)、 4-(4-羟基苯基)-2,3-二氮杂萘-1-酮(DHPZ)和1,4-二(4'-氟苯甲酰基)苯(BFBB)为原料, 经溶液亲核取代缩聚反应, 通过调节DHPZ-P和DHPZ的比例, 合成了一系列侧苯基杂萘联苯聚醚酮酮(PPEKK-P), 然后以浓硫酸为磺化剂, 制备出一系列磺化侧苯基杂萘联苯聚醚酮酮(SPPEKK-P). 利用傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)和氢核磁共振谱(¹H NMR)对聚合物结构进行表征, 结果表明, 磺酸基团引入到聚合物链的侧苯基上. 采用溶液浇铸法制备SPPEKK-P质子交换膜. SPPEKK-P膜的吸水率、 溶胀率和质子传导率均随离子交换容量(IEC)的增加而增加, 且具有较好的耐氧化性. IEC最高的SPPEKK-P-100膜的质子传导率在95℃能达到7.44×10^-2 S/cm, 且甲醇渗透系数为5.57×10^-8 cm²/s, 阻醇性能优于Nafion117膜.     

Ionomer-silicates composite membranes: Permeability and conductivity studies

Polymer composite membranes based on sulphonated polymers, such as sulphonated poly(ether ketone) and sulphonated poly(ether ether ketone), and silicates were prepared and characterized for water/methanol permeabilities and proton conductivity studies. The study showed methanol and water permeability in the composite system decreased, with respect to the plain polymer/ionomer, with the increase in content of silicates. The permeability reduction in the composite membranes is discussed using models and theories. It was also found that the proton conductivity of the ionomer-composite membranes increased with the increase in total flux of the system, emphasising a good correlation between the total flux of the composite membranes and proton conductivity. The work clearly demonstrates that the same transport mechanism governs both methanol-water crossover and proton conductivity in these polymer electrolyte composite membranes.     

不同磺化度下的磺化聚醚醚酮对全钒储能液流电池性质影响的研究

本文报道了采用浓硫酸作为磺化剂,成功合成了不同磺化度下的聚醚醚酮(PEEK)膜,并深入研究了磺化条件包括磺化时间和磺化剂的用量对所获薄膜性能的影响,获得了在不同磺化度（DS）下SPPEK膜的离子交换容,含水率,机械性能,质子电导率等参数,特别测定了在全钒液流电池工作条件下钒离子(Ⅳ)渗透率,首次为该类液流储能电池使用价廉质优的质子交换膜提供了基础实验数据。室温条件下的实验结果如下：1）磺化12小时后,膜的磺化度46%,含水量为28%,钒离子(Ⅳ)选择性最佳（钒离子渗透率为1.2×10-7 cm2/min-1,是Nafion117 (2.9×10-6 cm2/min-1)的1/24）,其质子电导率只有0.02 S/cm;2）磺化96小时其磺化度达79%的膜,质子电导率达0.16 S/cm,是Nafion117 (0.10S/cm) 的1.6倍, 但其机械性能最差;3）与Nafion117膜相比,磺化在36到48小时的SPPEK膜其机械力学性能好,薄膜的钒离子渗透率、离子交换容IEC、质子导电率和含水率高,且对钒离子的选择性佳,尤其价格仅为Nafion膜的1/13,是理想的Nafion膜的代替物,可望直接应用于全钒氧化还原液流（VRB）电池中。本文还讨论了磺化时间和不同磺化剂量对膜的性质的影响。     

新型共混交联磺化聚醚醚酮/部分氟化磺化聚芳醚砜质子交换膜的制备与表征

制备了基于磺化聚醚醚酮(SPEEK)/部分氟化磺化聚芳醚砜(SPFAES)的共混交联型质子交换膜(CMB), 研究了其吸水率、 尺寸变化、 力学性能、 热性能、 质子电导率、 化学稳定性及电池性能等. 通过在溶液浇铸过程中加入脱水剂诱导高温脱水反应, 在共混体系内构建了交联结构. 结果表明, 由于SPEEK与SPFAES之间良好的相容性、 分散性和聚合物链的重排及交联作用, CMB膜在干态下均表现出出色的力学强度, 且物化稳定性得到大幅提升. 在低离子交换容量(1.21~1.51 mmol/g)条件下, CMB膜的质子电导率达到122~219 mS/cm(80 ℃), 在氢氧单电池中, CMB4膜的最大功率密度达到530.5 mW/cm²(80 ℃).     

Morphology control of sulfonated poly(ether ketone ketone) poly(ether imide) blends and their use in proton-exchange membranes

Polymer blends based on sulfonated poly(ether ketone ketone) (SPEKK) as the proton-conducting component and poly(ether imide) (PEI) as the second component were considered for proton-exchange membranes (PEMs). The PEI was added to improve the mechanical stability and lower the water swelling in the fuel cell environment. Membranes were cast from solution using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and dimethylacetamide (DMAc). The ternary, polymer/polymer/solvent, phase diagram was determined to provide guidance on how to control the morphology during solvent casting of blend membranes.

For blends of SPEKK (ion-exchange capacity = 2 mequiv/g) with PEI as the minority component, the morphology consisted of dispersed particles of 0.5–6 μm. Larger particles were achieved by increasing the PEI content and/or lowering the casting temperature. High-temperature annealing after solution casting did not affect the morphology of blend membranes, due to the low mobility and compatibility of the two polymers.

The possible use of SPEKK/PEI blends in PEMs is discussed in terms of existing theories of ion transport in polymers.     

Hybird Membrane with High Proton Conductivity and Selectivity Based on SPEEK for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Composite membranes based on sulfonated silica/sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)(SPEEK) were prepared by means of sol-gel method so as to gain a high conductivity and reasonable methanol permeability.The sulfonated silica is generated in situ via the hydrolysis of sulfonated 3-anminopropyl triethoxysilane(KH550) synthesized newly from 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane and 1,4-butane sultone.The membrane with a silica mass fraction of 5% exhibits a conductivity of 0.187 S/cm at 80 °C and a methanol coefficient with 9.72×10-7 cm2/s.The composite membranes show improved condutive ability and better selectivity that can be promisingly used in direct methanol fuel cell.     

Crosslinking of sulphonated poly (ether ether ketone) using aromatic bis(hydroxymethyl) compound

2,6-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-4-methyl phenol and 1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl) benzene have been used as crosslinkers in sulphonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK DS 65%, IEC 1.84 mequiv./g) for the preparation of proton exchange membranes (PEMs). Crosslinking of SPEEK has been achieved by thermally activated bridging of the polymer chain with the hydroxymethyl group of crosslinker through condensation reaction with sulphonic acid group. The physico-chemical properties of uncrosslinked and crosslinked membrane were evaluated in terms of ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake, ionic conductivity and mechanical properties. The crosslinked membrane showed controlled swelling, ionic conductivity of 25–50 mS/cm at 80 °C and good mechanical properties. The chemical stability of the crosslinked membranes was studied by Fenton's test. The % loss in weight and changes in physico-chemical properties of the treated membranes were determined.     

含氨基磺化聚芳醚酮砜质子交换膜的制备与性能

通过四元缩聚的方法合成了带有氨基的磺化度可控的磺化聚芳醚酮砜共聚物(Am-SPAEKS). 采用红外光谱和核磁共振谱表征了Am-SPAEKS共聚物的结构. 该共聚物膜具有较好的热性能、尺寸稳定性、较高的质子传导率和阻醇能力. 在80℃时Am-SPAEKS-1膜的质子传导率达到0.0894 S/cm, 而其甲醇渗透系数在25℃时为0.24×10^-6 cm²/s, 低于相同温度下SPAEKS膜(0.87×10^-6 cm²/s)和Nafion膜(2×10^-6 cm²/s). 结果表明, Am-SPAEKS膜能够满足质子交换膜燃料电池(PEMFC)的使用要求.     

侧链型磺化聚芳醚酮/磺化聚乙烯醇复合型直接甲醇燃料电池用质子交换膜

通过溶液共混法制备了不同磺化聚乙烯醇(SPVA)含量的侧链型磺化聚芳醚酮/磺化聚乙烯醇(S-SPAEK/SPVA)复合膜. 应用红外光谱(FTIR)对复合膜进行了表征, 扫描电镜(SEM)显示SPVA均匀分布在复合膜中. 通过对复合膜的性能测试发现该系列复合膜具有良好的热性能、较高的吸水率和保水能力. SPVA中的羟基能有效地阻碍甲醇的透过, 甲醇渗透系数从S-SPAEK/SPVA5 复合膜的7.9×10^-7 cm²·s^-1降低到S-SPAEK/SPVA30的1.3×10^-7 cm²·s^-1, 比S-SPAEK膜的11.5×10^-7 cm²·s^-1降低了一个数量级. SPVA的引入增加了亲水基团数量, 增加了复合膜的吸水和保水能力, 有利于质子按照“Vehicle”机理和“Grotthuss”机理进行传递, 柔软的SPVA链段与S-SPAEK侧链聚集成亲水相区, 形成连续的质子传输通道, 提高了复合膜的质子传导率. 在25 和80℃ 时, S-SPAEK/SPVA30 复合膜的质子传导率分别达到了0.071 和0.095 S·cm^-1. 可见,S-SPAEK/SPVA复合膜有望在直接甲醇燃料电池中得到应用.     

高Tg含萘聚芳醚酮的合成与性能

利用Friedel-Craft和去醚化反应成功地制备了具有对称取代结构的含萘双酚单体1,5-二(3-甲基)苯羰基-2,6-二羟基萘, 并且通过高温亲核取代反应制得了两种高分子量的芳香族聚合物, 对这两种新型聚合物的热性能、溶解性能、机械性能及介电常数等进行了表征.