Fatemeh Beyraghi - School of Chemical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran ۱۶۸۴۶-۱۳۱۱۴, Iran
Soosan Rowshanzamir - School of Chemical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran ۱۶۸۴۶-۱۳۱۱۴, Iran /Fuel Cell Laboratory, Green Research Center, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, Iran

Sulfonated Poly Ether Ether Ketone (SPEEK) with NMP solvent was thermally treated to study the possibility of polymer cross-linking. HNMR analysis demonstrated the degree of sulfonation (DS) of the initial SPEEK polymer that it was 86%. Ion exchange capacity (IEC) test was done to determine the DS and the degree of cross-linking (DCL) after thermal treatment [1].Maximum degree of cross-linking was 53.48%. DS reduction is due to loss of sulfonic acid groups and a reason for cross-linking. For verification of chemical stability, Fenton test was done. The time of disappearance of cross-linked membrane was 30 times longer than untreated membrane. The results from IEC showed that cross linking happens in SPEEK with NMP solvent. Cross linking can increase the stability of sulfonic acid moieties within the SPEEK membrane as proved with Fenton test

Cross-linking; NMP Solvent; SPEEK; PEMFC