Characterization of graft-type polymer electrolyte membranes at low grafting degrees for fuel cells

Introduction: Proton exchange membrane (or polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cells (PEMFCs) are attracting enormous research activities because they a new power source for applications in different industrial sectors, such as transportation, stationaries, and portable devices. Nafion is the available commercial material PEMs, but it has high production cost, leading to strong demand alternative membranes. Polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA)-grafted poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) membranes (ETFE-PEMs) have been investigated extensively PEM cells, results mainly reported at grafting degrees (GDs) higher than 19%. Therefore, this study reports of thermal stability, mechanical strength, proton conductivity ETFE-PEM with low GD 10%. Methods: was prepared by radiation-induced subsequent sulfonation. The performance characteristics related using gravimetric analysis (TGA), testing, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Result: shows or comparable strength stability those Nafion. In addition, can exhibit conductance 6.10-4–21.10-4 S/cm relative humidity (RH) 40–60%, even very Conclusion: better properties exhibits rapid increase RH providing potential application small devices motorcycles, mobile phones, electronics.