Fabrication and Characterization of a Conductive Proton Exchange Membrane Based on Sulfonated Polystyrenedivinylbenzene Resin-Polyethylene (SPSDR-PE): Application in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

A novel proton exchange membrane has been prepared using sulfonated poly(styrenedivinylbenzene) resin(SPSDR)-polyethylene(PE). The membrane is characterized by FT-IR, SEM and TGA/DSC. Water uptake, oxidative resistance, ionic conductivity and methanol permeability are measured to evaluate its performance in a direct methanol fuel cell. The on-set degradation temperature of the SPSDR is above 120 degrees C. The membranes were confirmed to retain 1-5% water vapor at 80-140 degrees C in the air due to the hydrophily of highly sulfonated polystyrene. The ionic conductivity and permeability of the membrane to methanol was found to increase with temperature without extra humidity supply. A direct methanol fuel cell was designed and assembled with the suggested SPSDR-PE membrane. The effect of some experimental factors such as temperature, methanol concentration, and flow rate as well as NaOH concentration on the electrical performances of fuel cells was studied and optimized.