Abstract: Supramolecular Proton Exchange Membranes (2008 Annual Meeting)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Exhibit Hall A (Pennsylvania Convention Center)

Alan Fuchs, Chemical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV

Joko Sutrisno, Chemical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV

Cahit Evrensel, Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV

Faramarz Gordaninejad, Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV

Barkan Kavlicoglu, Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV

Yanming Liu, Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) were prepared using Polybenzimidazole (PBI) copolymer synthesized from isophtalic acid and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride dehydrate which produce a hydrophobic block. Hydrophilic polyamide (PA) blocks were synthesized from isophtalic acid and 4,4'-diamino-2,2'-biphenyldisulfonic acid. The addition of pentadecylphenol (PDP) forms supramolecular structures via phase separation (hydrophilic – hydrophobic). Composite membranes were also synthesized from polyamic acid and organoclay treated acid. The supramolecular sulfonated-PA / PDP / PBI membrane was tested in both the tangential and radial directions. Proton conductivity for this membrane is 3.3 x 10-3 S/cm in the tangential direction and 1.03 x 10-3 S/cm in the radial direction. In addition, proton conductivity for the composite membrane is 2.56.10-2 S/cm (80 oC).

Extended Abstract: File Uploaded

See more of this Session: Poster Session: Membranes
See more of this Group/Topical: Separations Division