Effect of Thermal Crosslinking Process on Membrane Structure and PEM Fuel Cell Applications Performed with SPEEK-PVA Blend Membranes


Yağızatlı Y., Şahin A., Ar İ.

3rd International Hydrogen Energy Congress & Exhibitions, Ankara, Türkiye, 14 - 16 Temmuz 2021, ss.21-28

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Ankara
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.21-28
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

One of the promising options in the pursuit of clean and sustainable energy is fuel cell technology. PEM fuel cell stands out among fuel cell technologies due to its high efficiency, compactness and ability to be used in portable applications. SPEEK (with different sulfonation degree) and PVA blend membranes, which are thought to create a good synergy for PEM fuel cell, were prepared by solution casting method. As a result of the mass loss experiments, it was understood that the membranes dissolve in water regardless of the degree of sulfonation. Thermal crosslinking was carried out in order to prevent the membrane dissolution in water, which is in constant contact with water in the fuel cell. Dissolution was mostly prevented as a result of thermal crossing process. Changes in the physical, chemical and mechanical structure of the membrane after thermal crossing were comparatively determined by FTIR, TGA-DTA, DSC, water uptake capacity, swelling property, ion exchange capacity (IEC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and electrochemical impedance analysis. Analysis results showed that thermal crosslinking prevented the dissolution of membranes in water ingreat extent. In addition, it was determined that the thermally crosslinked membranes had a more stable structure.