Improvement Ion Exchange Capacity of Sa8 Membrane by Interaction in Densely of Poly(Arylene Ether) Strings and Support Materials Polymer for Fuel Cell Applications

This study delves into the potential of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) to establish cost-effective and sustainable fuel cell technology, while addressing energy scarcity and environmental pollution. Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 17, the primary objective is to create dimensionally stable, highly conductive proton exchange membranes and assess their performance with support materials. The study employs two grades of sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s derivative and three cost-effective polymers as support materials on porous polymers. The synthesized sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s derivative exhibits impressive proton conductivity and water uptake properties. Creating composite structures with support materials enhances the stability of the polymer's dimensions. Scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements confirm successful mixing, increasing the support material's hydrophilicity. The polyethylene terephthalate composite membrane stands out with a remarkable water uptake of 188.2%, 6.4 times higher than Nafion™ 211. Dimensional change rates stay below 10%. In terms of proton conductivity, all composite membranes surpass Nafion™ 211, with the sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s derivative and polypropylene composite membrane achieving 252.1 mS/cm, 1.78 times higher than Nafion™ 211. This model has the potential to significantly enhance output performance in PEMFCs, making it a promising technology for sustainable energy solutions.