Characterization and Performance of Polyquinoline - Proton Exchange Membranes

Characterization and Performance of Polyquinoline - Proton Exchange Membranes

 

Irawan Pramudya, Adelia Latief, Joko Sutrisno, and Alan Fuchs

Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno

 

Abstract

Polyquinoline membranes with a high glass transition temperature (Tg) have been developed. These membranes can be used to operate high temperature fuel cells. Operating fuel cells at high temperature provides benefits, including: higher rate of reaction (kinetics), minimization of catalyst poisoning (high tolerance for CO), and no water management required. Therefore composites of sulfonated poly (ether ketone quinoline) (SPEKQ)/poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK)/zirconium sulfate (Zr(SO4)₂) and polythiophene-quinoline have been developed. Polythiophenequinoline was synthesized by reacting 2,5-bis(phenyloxoacetyl)thiophene with an aromatic tetramine in m-cresol. The reaction was carried out at 100°C for 24 h in an inert atmosphere. The mixture was then precipitated in methanol before extraction in ethanol for purification. Characterization included determination of: molecular weight, conductivity, ion exchange capacity and differential scanning calorimetry. The performance of the composite membrane was measured on a fuel cell testing instrument with both hydrogen and methanol as a fuel. The membrane was also measured as a function of time to investigate performance using hydrogen as fuel.