Electric Field-Assisted Filling of Sulfonated Polymers in ePTFE Backing Material for Fuel Cell

Abstract

This study fabricated a composite ePTFE-backed proton-exchange membrane by filling the pores on the ePTFE backing with sulfonated polyarylene ethers through an externally supplied electric field. The morphology changes were observed under an SEM. The results suggested that the application of an electric field had led to the effective filling of pores by polymers. In addition, the composite membrane featured good dimensional stability and swelling ratio, and its water uptake, proton conductivity and component efficiency increased with voltage. It is found in this study that the external application of an electric field resulted in the effective filling of pores in the ePTFE by sulfonated polyarylene ether polymers and, thus, an improved composite membrane performance.

Keywords

• proton-exchange membrane
• electric field filling
• composite ePTFE membrane
• polyarylene ethers
• sulfonated polymer
• dimensional stability