Novel Polyamide Proton Exchange Membranes with Bi-Functional Sulfonimide Bridges for Fuel Cell Applications

We design and successfully synthesize non-fluorinated polyamides with controlled crosslinking using sulfonimide as a bi-functional linker to interconnect polymer backbones and as a bridge for proton conduction. We show that the bi-functional linkers are highly beneficial not only for mechanical enforcement of the proton exchange membranes but also for enhancement of water retention capacity. With an appropriate degree of crosslinking, higher water retention capacity than that of commercial Nafion membranes can be obtained. The maximum proton conductivity of the membranes is found to be as high as 0.139 S cm−1 at 80 °C, almost the same as that of a Nafion 117 membrane. Excellent performance with the bi-functional polymer membranes in an air-breathing direct methanol fuel cell prototype, comparable to the performance of a Nafion 117 membrane, is demonstrated.

Graphical abstractA polymer proton conductor crosslinked with bi-functional sulfonamide bridges is synthesized for PEM fuel cell applications. The architecture simultaneously enhances mechanical strength and improves water retention of the PEMs. With an appropriate degree of crosslinking, the bi-functional PEM exhibits comparable performance to that of a commercial Nafion membrane tested in a direct methanol fuel cell.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide