Enhancement of Anhydrous Proton Conductivity of Poly(vinylphosphonic acid)-Poly(2,5-benzimidazole) Membranes via In Situ Polymerization

Sen U., USTA H., Acar O., Citir M., Canlier A., Bozkurt A., ...More

MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, vol.216, no.1, pp.106-112, 2015 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 216 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/macp.201400401
  • Journal Name: MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.106-112
  • Abdullah Gül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) are synthesized via in situ polymerization of vinylphos- phonic acid (VPA) within a poly(2,5-benzimidazole) (ABPBI) matrix. The characterization of the membranes is carried out by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for the inter- polymer interactions, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for the thermal properties, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the morpho- logical properties. The physicochemical characterizations suggest the complexation between ABPBI and PVPA and the formation of homogeneous polymer blends. Proton conductivities in the anhydrous state (150 °C) measured by using impedance spectroscopy are considerable, at up to 0.001 and 0.002 S cm−1 for (1:1) and (1:2) molar ratios, respectively. These conduc- tivities indicate significant improvements (>1000×) over the physically blended samples. The results shown here demonstrate the great potential of in situ preparation for the realization of new PEM materials in future high-temperature and non- humidified polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications. 

Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) are synthesized via in situ polymerization of vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) within a poly(2,5-benzimidazole) (ABPBI) matrix. The characterization of the membranes is carried out by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for the interpolymer interactions, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for the thermal properties, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the morphological properties. The physicochemical characterizations suggest the complexation between ABPBI and PVPA and the formation of homogeneous polymer blends. Proton conductivities in the anhydrous state (150 degrees C) measured by using impedance spectroscopy are considerable, at up to 0.001 and 0.002 S cm(-1) for (1: 1) and (1: 2) molar ratios, respectively. These conductivities indicate signifi cant improvements (> 1000x) over the physically blended samples. The results shown here demonstrate the great potential of in situ preparation for the realization of new PEM materials in future high-temperature and non-humidified polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications.