Proton exchange membranes based on the short-side-chain perfluorinated ionomer

Due to the renovated availability of the base monomer for the synthesis of the short-side-chain (SSC) perfluorinated ionomer, fuel cell membrane development is being pursued using this well known ionomer structure, which was originally developed by Dow in the 1980s. The new membranes under development have the trade name Hyflon Ion. After briefly reviewing the literature on the Dow ionomer, new characterization data are reported on extruded Hyflon Ion membranes. The data are compared to those available in the literature on the Dow SSC ionomer and membranes. Comparison is made also with data obtained in this work or available in the literature on the long-side-chain (LSC) perfluorinated ionomer (Nafion). Thermal, visco-elastic, water absorption and mechanical properties of Hyflon Ion are studied. While the general behavior is similar to that shown in the past by the Dow membranes, slight differences are evident in the hydration behavior at equivalent weight (EW) < 900, probably due to different EW distributions. Measurements on dry membranes confirm that Hyflon Ion has a higher glass transition temperature compared to Nafion, which makes it a more promising material for high temperature proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell operation (T > 100 °C). Beginning of life fuel cell performance has also been confirmed to be higher than that given by a Nafion membrane of equal thickness.