ISSN:
0001-1541
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Chemical Engineering
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
One of the major obstacles to overcome for the realization of economical hydrogen-oxygen, polymer-electrolyte fuel cells is the high capital cost of the inert perfluorosulfonic acid (PSA) membranes, which provide a pathway for ionic transport between the cell electrodes. It has recently been shown that composite polymer membranes can be synthesized by depositing PSA polymers onto porous poly(tetrafluoroethyene) (PTFE) substrates. The resulting membranes are mechanically durable and quite thin relative to traditional PSA membranes; we expect the composite membranes to be of low resistance and cost. In this experimental study, we examine the composite membrane properties as a function of the membrane composition. Our results allow us to form a conceptual model to explain both the equilibrium and transport characteristics of these materials. For high PSA contents, the membrane behavior is similar to that of the PSA polymer; the water permeability, however, is reduced significantly. For intermediate PSA contents, the membranes have a high porosity and match the thickness of the PTFE substrate (≈50 μm); membranes of this composition range are potentially useful candidates for fuel cells because of their high resistance to water transport and reduced ionic resistance. Composite membranes of very low PSA content demonstrate characteristics similar to the hydrophobic PTFE substrate and are not of interest for fuel cells.
Additional Material:
8 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aic.690380110
