Phosphoric acid-doped cross-linked porous polybenzimidazole membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Cheng Hsun Shen, Li Cheng Jheng, Steve Lien Chung Hsu, Jacob Tse-Wei Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

105 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cross-linked porous polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes were prepared by mixing a low-molecular-weight compound (porogen) and a cross-linker with the polymer to form cross-linked polymer membranes in order to increase the mechanical strength and proton conductivity. SEM images of the cross-section of the porous polymer membranes show the pore size and morphology. The cross-linking by p-xylylene dichloride can effectively improve the mechanical properties of the porous PBI membranes after phosphoric acid doping. The CpPBI-60 membrane, which is doped with 9 moles of phosphoric acid, has a tensile modulus of 0.45 GPa. The good mechanical strength of the cross-linked porous PBI membranes makes them able to hold more phosphoric acid and, consequently, have higher proton conductivity. Fenton's test indicated that the covalently cross-linked structure played an important role in the radical oxidative stability of the porous membranes. The doping level of phosphoric acid in the cross-linked porous PBI membranes showed that the enhanced conductivity was due to the increase of porosity, which results in the increase of acid uptake. Impedance analysis showed that the conductivity of the cross-linked porous PBI membranes could reach 2.1 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 160 °C under anhydrous conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)15660-15665
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry
Volume21
Issue number39
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011 Oct 21

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Phosphoric acid-doped cross-linked porous polybenzimidazole membranes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this