Development of a novel highly conductive membrane based on PVA and ionic liquid for fuel cells

In this study for first time polymer electrolyte membranes based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) containing dicationic ionic liquid (IL) 1,3-di(3-methylimidazolium) propane bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (DCA) were prepared as electrolytes for fuel cells applications. The analyses of results displayed promising characteristics such as high proton conductivity, mechanical and thermal stability. The highest proton conductivity of 71 mS/cm is achieved for PVA-DCA composite membranes with PVA/IL mass fraction: 12 at 70 ºC. The results prove that these developed composite membranes can be considered as most promising candidates for fuel cell applications with enhanced proton conductivity

Keywords:

Poly(vinyl alcohol) , polymer electrolyte membranes , proton conductivity , dicationic ionic liquid