Proton conductive polymer/metal organic framework composi·te membranes / Proton iletken polimer/metal organik kafes yapılar içeren

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are one of the most innovative research areas in search of novel power sources, especially because of their no to low greenhouse gas emissions, high efficiency, diverse fuel options and low maintenance costs. Hence, PEMFCs are regarded as one of the potential alternatives for the conventional power generators. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) is the core component of the PEMFC. Still, Nafion® and PBI are the commonly used membrane materials in fuel cell technology. The development of novel PEMs with high proton conductivity, good mechanical and chemical stability and cost-effective manufacturing remain as obstacles for the commercialization of PEMFCs. In this thesis for the first time, we present preparation and characterization of two types of novel composite proton exchange membranes which consist of zeolitic imidazolat framework-8 (ZIF-8). In the first part of this study, consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(2- acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS) and zeolitic imidazolat framework-8 (ZIF-8) ternary Nafion-like composite membranes were prepared with different composition to use in the PEMFCs which of their operation temperatures below 100 0C. All of the membranes were structurally characterized and their proton conductivities were measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The fully hydrated membrane with 55 PVA/40 PAMPS/5 ZIF-8 composition shows the highest proton conductivity with about 0.13 S cm-1 at 80 0C and the result thus obtained is comparable to the proton conductivity value of the Nafion in the literature. The aim of second part of this study is the preparing of membranes for high temperature proton exchange fuel cells (HTPEMFCs), which operate between 100-200 0C, the binary mixed membrane were manufactured incorporation of PBI and ZIF-8. In the membrane PBI ii was used as host polymer whereas ZIF-8 is used as filler material. Among the structurally well-characterized membranes, the membrane with 12.5 ZIF-8/PBI membrane has the highest proton conductivity with about 0.0045 S cm-1 at 160 0C under anhydrous condition.