Poly(eugenol sulfonate) - sulfonated polyetherimide new blends membrane promising for direct methanol fuel cell

Abstract

A new polymeric membrane blended from sulfonated polyetherimide (SPEI) and poly(eugenol sulfonate) (PES) was prepared as proton exchange membrane (PEM) for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The membrane was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). Ion exchange capacity (IEC), proton conductivity, methanol barrier, water uptake, water contact angle and mechanical strength of the membrane was also being determined. The new PES/SPEI membrane with 3 wt.% PES and 20 wt.% SPEI show higher IEC, water uptake, proton conductivity and methanol barrier properties as compared to Nafion 117 membrane. As a conclusion, the results indicate that the SPEI/PES membrane has potential to be employed as PEM for DMFC application.