Inorganic modification of ionic block copolymers for high temperature pem application

PMSE 10

Mayur K. Mistry1, Namita Roy Choudhury, namita.choudhury@unisa.edu.au1, Naba K. Dutta1, and Steven Holdcroft2. (1) ARC Specical Research Centre for Particle and Material Interfaces, Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lake Boulevard, South Australia, Australia, (2) Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, University Drive, Burnaby, BC, Canada
New organic – inorganic hybrid membranes were prepared from Nafion and sulfonated block copolymer (BCP). The sol–gel approach was utilized to incorporate the inorganic component within the polymer membrane. Hybrid membranes were prepared from various silane and phosphate precursors. The effects of incorporating nanosized particles within two different polymer membranes (Fluoro and nonfluoro ionomers) to improve thermal stability, water uptake and proton conductivity was investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirms the presence of inorganic content and hybrid membranes show an increase in their thermal stability over the parent material. Water uptake studies reveal that hybrid membranes are capable of hold more bound water which can retain within the system at temperatures greater than 100°C. Initial proton conductivity measurements of hybrid membranes show promising results.
 

New Concepts in Polymeric Materials
8:00 AM-11:20 AM, Sunday, August 19, 2007 Westin Boston Waterfront -- Grand Ballroom D, Oral

Division of Polymeric Materials: Science & Engineering

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007