Preparations and Properties of Polybenzimidazole/PolyVinylbenzyl Crosslinked Composite Membranes for High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Authors

Jin-kai Jin-kai, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, Liaoning, China;University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China;
Yong-yi JIANG, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, Liaoning, China;University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China;
WANG-Zhen WANG-Zhen, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, Liaoning, China;University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China;
Xiao-jin LI, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, Liaoning, China;
Zhi-gang SHAO, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, Liaoning, China;Follow
Bao-lian YI, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, Liaoning, China;

Corresponding Author

Zhi-gang SHAO(zhgshao@dicp.ac.cn)

Abstract

In order to increase the chemical stability of polybenzimidazole (PBI) membrane, a highly stable polymer, poly vinylbenzyl chloride (PVBC), was chosen as the macromolecular crosslinker, and 1H-1,2,4-triazol was adopted to prepare the crosslinked PBI-based membranes. The influence of the PVBC amount on membrane characteristic was investigated in detail. The results indicated that the crosslinked structure of the membrane effectively improved the chemical stability, and at the same time, the membrane presented good mechanical property and proton conductivity. The fuel cell performance for the membrane was tested with hydrogen and oxygen single cell without humidification at 150 oC, and the maximum power density reached 0.82 W?cm-2.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

high temperature proton exchange membrane, polybenzimidazole, crosslink, polyvinylbenzyl chloride

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.13208/j.electrochem.150745

Publication Date

2015-10-28

Online Available Date

2015-10-28

Recommended Citation

Jin-kai Jin-kai, Yong-yi JIANG, WANG-Zhen WANG-Zhen, Xiao-jin LI, Zhi-gang SHAO, Bao-lian YI. Preparations and Properties of Polybenzimidazole/PolyVinylbenzyl Crosslinked Composite Membranes for High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, 2015 , 21(5): 441-448.
DOI: 10.13208/j.electrochem.150745
Available at: https://jelectrochem.xmu.edu.cn/journal/vol21/iss5/6

References

[1] Zhang J L, Xie Z, Zhang J J, et al. High temperature PEM fuel cells[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2006, 160(2): 872-91.

[2] Li Q, He R, Jensen J O, et al. PBI-based polymer membranes for high temperature fuel cells - preparation, characterization and fuel cell demonstration[J]. Fuel Cells, 2004, 4(3): 147-59.

[3] Doyle M, Choi S K, Proulx G. High-temperature proton conducting membranes based on perfluorinated ionomer membrane-ionic liquid composites[J]. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 2000, 147(1): 34-37.

[4] Authayanun S, Im-Orb K, Arpornwichanop A. A review of the development of high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells[J]. Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2015, 36(4): 473-83.

[5] Hou M(侯明), Yi B L(衣宝廉). Progress and perspective of fuel cell technology[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry(电化学), 2012, 18(1): 1-13.

[6] Ubong E U, Dimitrov B. Regression of the response variable of a high temperature PEMFC-PBI membrane[J]. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 2010, 157(7): B1059-B1067.

[7] Hao J, Li X, Yu S, et al. Development of proton-conducting membrane based on incorporating a proton conductor 1,2,4-triazolium methanesulfonate into the Nafion membrane[J]. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 2015, 24(2): 199-206.

[8] Liu F Q(刘富强), Xing D M(邢丹敏), Yu J R(于景荣), et al. Nafion?/PTFE composite membrane for PEMFC[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry(电化学), 2002, 8(1): 86-92.

[9] Cui L, Geng Q, Gong C L, et al. Novel sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)/silica coated carbon nanotubes high-performance composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cell[J]. Polymers For Advanced Technologies, 2015, 26(5): 457-64.

[10] BogolowskI N, Drillet J F. Appropriate balance between methanol yield and power density in portable direct methanol fuel cell[J]. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2015, 270: 91-100.

[11] Wainright J S, Wang J T, Weng D, et al. Acid-doped polybenzimidazoles - A new polymer electrolyte[J]. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 1995, 142(7): L121-L123.

[12] Chang Z H, Pu H T, Wan D C, et al. Chemical oxidative degradation of polybenzimidazole in simulated environment of fuel cells[J]. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 2009, 94(8): 1206-1212.

[13] Henkensmeier D, Cho H R, Kim H J, et al. Polybenzimidazolium hydroxides - Structure, stability and degradation[J]. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 2012, 97(3): 264-272.

[14] Miyatake K, Chikashige Y, Higuchi E, et al. Tuned polymer electrolyte membranes based on aromatic polyethers for fuel cell applications[J]. Journal of The American Chemical Society, 2007, 129(13): 3879-3887.

[15] Pinar F J, Canizares P, Rodrigo M A, et al. Long-term testing of a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell short stack operated with improved polybenzimidazole-based composite membranes[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2015, 274: 177-185.

[16] Li Q F, Rudbeck H C, chromik A, et al. Properties, degradation and high temperature fuel cell test of different types of PBI and PBI blend membranes[J]. Journal of Membrane Science, 2010, 347(1/2): 260-270.

[17] Wang S, Zhang G, Han M, et al. Novel epoxy-based cross-linked polybenzimidazole for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2011, 36(14): 8412-8421.

[18] Li J, Li X J, Zhao Y, et al. High-temperature proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells using an ether-containing polybenzimidazole membrane as electrolyte[J]. Chemsuschem, 2012, 5(5): 896-900.

[19] Itoh T, Hirai K, Tamura M, et al. Anhydrous proton-conducting electrolyte membranes based on hyperbranched polymer with phosphonic acid groups for high-temperature fuel cells[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2008, 178(2): 627-633.

[20] Yang J S, Aili D, Li Q F, et al. Covalently cross-linked sulfone polybenzimidazole membranes with poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) for fuel cell applications[J]. Chemsuschem, 2013, 6(2): 275-282.

[21] Lin X C, Liang X H, Poynton S D, et al. Novel alkaline anion exchange membranes containing pendant benzimidazolium groups for alkaline fuel cells[J]. Journal of Membrane Science, 2013, 443: 193-200.

[22] Yan X M, He G H, Gu S, et al. Imidazolium-functionalized polysulfone hydroxide exchange membranes for potential applications in alkaline membrane direct alcohol fuel cells[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2012, 37(6): 5216-24.

[23] Lu W T, Zhang G, Li J, et al. Polybenzimidazole-crosslinked poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) with quaternary 1,4-diazabicyclo (2.2.2) octane groups as high-performance anion exchange membrane for fuel cells[J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2015, 296: 204-214.

[24] Wang K Y, Xiao Y C, Chung T S. Chemically modified polybenzimidazole nanofiltration membrane for the separation of electrolytes and cephalexin[J]. Chemical Engineering Science, 2006, 61(17): 5807-5817.

[25] Faraj M, Elia E, Boccia M, et al. New anion conducting membranes based on functionalized styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer for fuel cells applications[J]. Journal of Polymer Science Part A-polymer Chemistry, 2011, 49(15): 3437-3447.

[26] Qiao J L, Fu J, Liu L L, et al. Synthesis and properties of chemically cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol)-poly (acrylamide-co-diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PVA-PAADDA) for anion-exchange membranes[J]. Solid State Ionics, 2012, 214: 6-12.

[27] Pu H T, Wang L, Pan H Y, et al. Synthesis and characterization of fluorine-containing polybenzimidazole for proton conducting membranes in fuel cells[J]. Journal of Polymer Science Part A-polymer Chemistry, 2010, 48(10): 2115-2122.

[28] Chang Z, Pu H, Wan D, et al. Chemical oxidative degradation of polybenzimidazole in simulated environment of fuel cells[J]. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 2009, 94(8): 1206-1212.

[29] He D, Cho H R, Kim H J, et al. Polybenzimidazolium hydroxides -Structure, stability and degradation[J]. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 2012, 97(3): 264-272.

[30] Li Q F, Rudbeck H C, A C, et al. Properties, degradation and high temperature fuel cell test of different types of PBI and PBI blend membranes[J]. Journal of Membrane Science, 2010, 347(1/2): 260-270.