The development of Speek/Pva/Teos blend membrane for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) has high potential for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) application and has been widely considered as most promising alternative to commercial membranes. In this study a novel ternary composite membrane consisting of SPEEK/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and tetraethyl ortosilicate (TEOS) were prepared by blending and casting method. The obtained samples were characterized by FT-IR, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), oxidative and hydrolytic stability, water uptake capacity, swelling property and ion exchange capacity tests. According to these characterization test results, the addition of PVA in the membrane structure increased the mechanical strength and in addition TEOS is easily incorporated into the membrane structure because of the presence of modifiable groups in PVA. The addition of TEOS to blend membranes prevented water loss at high temperatures and TEOS addition indirectly increased the proton conductivity of the membranes. The highest performance of 600 mA/cm2 was obtained SP90/PV10/TE coded membrane at 0.6 V cell potential and fuel cell operate at 1 atm and 80 °C. At the same conditions Nafion 117 gave 400 mA/cm2. This study shows that blend membrane seems to be a promising alternative membrane for PEMFC application.