Effect of PEFC operating conditions on the durability of sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone ketone) multiblock membranes

Takeou Okanishi, Yoichiro Tsuji, Yoko Sakiyama, Soichi Matsuno, Byungchan Bae, Kenji Miyatake, Makoto Uchida*, Masahiro Watanabe

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The durability of a membrane-electrode assembly based on a sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone ketone) (SPESK) multiblock copolymer membrane having highly sulfonated hydrophilic blocks was evaluated at various cell currents in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. 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. With a lower current test, the percentage remaining of the original weight-averaged molecular weight (Mw) orig of the SPESK membranes after the test decreased, and the sulfate ion release rate increased. In addition, the mass activity, evaluated from the current-potential (I-E) curves and oxide formation charge current (Q oxide) determined from cyclic voltammograms on the cathode were found to decrease with the lower current test. Fluoride ions originating from the catalyst layer were also detected in the drain water. There were greater amounts of fluoride ion with the lower current tests, similar to the case for the sulfate anion. Thus, it was concluded that the electrolyte binder in the catalyst layer was degraded. The effect of low current density may be associated with high cathode potential.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8989-8996
Number of pages8
JournalElectrochimica Acta
Volume56
Issue number24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011 Oct 1
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Block copolymer membranes
  • Cell current
  • Durability
  • Poly(arylene ether sulfone ketone)s
  • Polymer electrolyte fuel cell

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemical Engineering(all)
  • Electrochemistry

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