Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone) and Organically Modified Montmorillonite Nanocomposite Membranes, as Alternative Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) at the optimum degree of sulfonation (62% DS) was evaluated as an alternative to Nafion for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) applications. To decrease the methanol permeability, decreasing the power density of the cell, different types of organically modified montmorillonite nanoclays (OMMT: trade name Cloisite 15A and chitosan modified MMT (CMMT)) and also pristine nanoclay (MMT: trade name Cloisite Na) were added at different loading weights to SPEEK.The selectivity parameter, ratio of proton conductivity to methanol permeability, was identified and the results were compared with Nafion117. In addition, the DMFC performance tests were investigated at 70°C and 1 M methanol feed. The results indicated that the nanocomposite membranes were promising PEMs, as alternatives of Nafion, for DMFC applications

Keywords:

Fuel cells , PEMs , SPEEK , Proton conductivity , Methanol permeability