New Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) Based on the Modification of Sulfonated Polystyrene with MIL-53(Al)-NH2 for Direct-Methanol Fuel Cell

Salehi, Masoumeh; Karimipour, Gholamreza; Montazerozohoori, Morteza; Ghaedi, Mehrorang; Mandanipour, Valiollah

doi:10.30492/ijcce.2022.544205.5047

New Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) Based on the Modification of Sulfonated Polystyrene with MIL-53(Al)-NH2 for Direct-Methanol Fuel Cell

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

¹ Department of Chemistry, Yasouj University, Yasouj, I.R. IRAN

² Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Gonabad, Gonabad, I.R. IRAN

10.30492/ijcce.2022.544205.5047

Abstract

In this study, modified sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) was used as a base for membrane fabrication in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs). The sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) was prepared using ethylsulfate and polystyrene with sulfate attached to the para-position of some phenyl groups in polystyrene backbone and conducted by polyethylene (PE) and different amounts of MIL-53(Al)-NH₂as metal-organic material, to obtain SPS-PE-MIL-53 as a novel proton-exchange membrane. The membranes were characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, and TGA analysis. The proton conductivity, water uptake, oxidative resistance, ionic conductivity, and methanol permeability of the membranes were examined to assess their performance in a direct methanol fuel cell. The modified membrane containing 1% wt SPS, 1% wt PE, and 0.25% wt MIL-53 showed relatively better performance than the other prepared membranes with the selectivity factor of 7.17 × 10⁴S.s/cm³ and a maximum peak power density of 17.04 mW/cm²with a maximum current density of 115.38 mA/cm².

Keywords

Main Subjects

Membrane Science & Technology

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