EB-crosslinked Polymer Electrolyte Membranes Based on Highly Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone) and Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Triallyl Isocyanurate

In this study, crosslinked polymer electrolyte membranes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications are prepared using electron beam irradiation with a mixture of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), and triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) at a dose of 300 kGy. The gel-fraction of the irradiated SPEEK/PVDF/TAIC (95/4.5/0.5) membrane is 87% while the unirradiated membrane completely dissolves in DMAc solvent. In addition, the water uptake of the irradiated membrane is 221% at 70 degrees C while that of the unirradiated membrane completely dissolves in water at above 70 degrees C. The ion exchange capacity and proton conductivity of the crosslinked membrane are 1.57 meq g(-1), and 4.0 x 10(-2) S cm(-1) (at 80 degrees C and RH 90%), respectively. Furthermore, a morphology study of the membranes is conducted using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry. The cell performance study with the crosslinked membrane demonstrates that the maximum power density is 518 mW cm(-2) at 1036 mA cm(-2) and the maximum current density at applied voltage of 0.4 V is 1190 mA cm(-2).