| 초록 |
Proton exchange membranes using polymer blending of poly(vinyl alcohol)/ poly(styrene sulfonic acid-co-maleic acid) (PVA/PSSA-MA) were prepared and characterized for fuel cell applications. High proton conductivity and low methanol crossover are prerequisites for efficient proton-exchange membrane for fuel cell application. As well known, PVA reveals very low solubility in methanol. Therefore, it was presumed that the blending of PVA with acid polymer possibly reduces the methanol crossover through the membrane. The degrees of crosslinking and swelling of PVA/PSSA-MA membranes were controlled by varying the concentration of crosslinker (i.e. glutaraldehyde) and the mole ratios of maleic acid groups to sulfonic acid groups. Crosslinked PVA/PSSA-MA membranes were characterized in terms of water/methanol swelling ratio, methanol cross-over, proton conductivity, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) behaviors. The results showed that crosslinked PVA/PSSA-MA membranes are very applicable for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. |
