Sulfonated Poly-Aryl-Ether-Ketones for Applications in Carbon-Nano-Fiber based Membrane-Electrode-Assemblies

The synthesis of sulfonated polyetheretherketones (SPEEK) with three different sulfonation levels was carried out and several membranes were developed with the corresponding polymers. The membranes were characterized by determining Ion Exchange Capacity (IEC), water uptake and the results were correlated to electrochemical data. Electrochemical tests were performed in a single cell fed with H2/O2 at a temperature of 60 {degree sign}C and compared to commercial Nafion 112 (N112). A maximum power density of 30 mW cm-2 was obtained, and the measured OCV value for the SPEEK membrane was lower than the perfluorinated membrane, indicating a higher gas permeability of the thinnest SPEEK polymer membranes.