Durability of an aromatic block copolymer membrane in practical PEFC operation

Takeou Okanishi, Takeshi Yoda, Yoko Sakiyama, Takahiro Miyahara, Kenji Miyatake, Makoto Uchida*, Masahiro Watanabe

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The durability of a novel proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane, sulfonated polybenzophenone/poly (arylene ether) (SPK) block copolymer, was evaluated at middle temperature (80 °C), low humidity (53% RH), and a low current density, 0.02 A cm - 2, in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell for 980 h. The electrochemical properties and drain water collected from the anode and cathode were monitored during the test, followed by post-test analyses of the membrane. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra and ion exchange capacity (IEC) value of the post-test membrane showed very minor changes compared to those of the pristine one. The post-test membrane retained 94% of its original weight-averaged molecular weight (M w) org. There was no remarkable change in Q oxide (oxide formation charge of the cathode catalyst) after the test, which indicates that the specific adsorption of decomposition products of the SPK membrane on the cathode catalyst was not significant.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)47-49
Number of pages3
JournalElectrochemistry Communications
Volume24
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012 Oct
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Block copolymer membranes
  • Durability
  • Polymer electrolyte fuel cell
  • Sulfonated aromatic polymer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrochemistry

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