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Simari C. NMR Investigation of Water Molecular Dynamics in Sulfonated Polysulfone/Layered Double Hydroxide Composite Membranes for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:684. [PMID: 37505050 PMCID: PMC10384311 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13070684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The development of nanocomposite membranes based on hydrocarbon polymers is emerging as one of the most promising strategies for overcoming the performance, cost, and safety limitations of Nafion, which is the current benchmark in proton exchange membranes for fuel cell applications. Among the various nanocomposite membranes, those based on sulfonated polysulfone (sPSU) and Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) hold promise regarding their successful utilization in practical applications due to their interesting electrochemical performance. This study aims to elucidate the effect of LDH introduction on the internal arrangement of water molecules in the hydrophilic clusters of sPSU and on its proton transport properties. Swelling tests, NMR characterization, and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) investigation allowed us to demonstrate that LDH platelets act as physical crosslinkers between -SO3H groups of adjacent polymer chains. This increases dimensional stability while simultaneously creating continuous paths for proton conduction. This feature, combined with its impressive water retention capability, allows sPSU to yield a proton conductivity of ca. 4 mS cm-1 at 90 °C and 20% RH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cataldo Simari
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
- National Reference Centre for Electrochemical Energy Storage (GISEL)-INSTM, Via G. Giusti 9, 50121 Firenze, Italy
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Volkov VI, Slesarenko NA, Chernyak AV, Avilova IA, Tarasov VP. Hydration and Mobility of Alkaline Metal Cations in Sulfonic Cation Exchange Membranes. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:membranes13050518. [PMID: 37233579 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13050518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The interconnection of ionogenic channel structure, cation hydration, water and ionic translational mobility was revealed in Nafion and MSC membranes based on polyethylene and grafted sulfonated polystyrene. A local mobility of Li+, Na+ and Cs+ cations and water molecules was estimated via the 1H, 7Li, 23Na and 133Cs spin relaxation technique. The calculated cation and water molecule self-diffusion coefficients were compared with experimental values measured using pulsed field gradient NMR. It was shown that macroscopic mass transfer is controlled by molecule and ion motion near sulfonate groups. Lithium and sodium cations whose hydrated energy is higher than water hydrogen bond energy move together with water molecules. Cesium cations in possession of low hydrated energy are directly jumping between neighboring sulfonate groups. Cation Li+, Na+ and Cs+ hydration numbers (h) in membranes were calculated from 1H chemical shift water molecule temperature dependences. The values calculated from the Nernst-Einstein equation and the experimental conductivity values were close to each other in Nafion membranes. In MSC membranes, calculated conductivities were one order of magnitude more compared to the experimental ones, which is explained by the heterogeneity of the membrane pore and channel system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaly I Volkov
- Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry RAS, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia
- Scientific Center in Chernogolovka of the Institute of Solid State Physics Named Yu. A. Osipyan RAS, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Nikita A Slesarenko
- Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry RAS, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Alexander V Chernyak
- Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry RAS, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia
- Scientific Center in Chernogolovka of the Institute of Solid State Physics Named Yu. A. Osipyan RAS, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Irina A Avilova
- Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry RAS, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia
| | - Victor P Tarasov
- Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry RAS, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia
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Life cycle net energy assessment of sustainable H 2 production and hydrogenation of chemicals in a coupled photoelectrochemical device. Nat Commun 2023; 14:991. [PMID: 36813780 PMCID: PMC9947173 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36574-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Green hydrogen has been identified as a critical enabler in the global transition to sustainable energy and decarbonized society, but it is still not economically competitive compared to fossil-fuel-based hydrogen. To overcome this limitation, we propose to couple photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting with the hydrogenation of chemicals. Here, we evaluate the potential of co-producing hydrogen and methyl succinic acid (MSA) by coupling the hydrogenation of itaconic acid (IA) inside a PEC water splitting device. A negative net energy balance is predicted to be achieved when the device generates only hydrogen, but energy breakeven can already be achieved when a small ratio (~2%) of the generated hydrogen is used in situ for IA-to-MSA conversion. Moreover, the simulated coupled device produces MSA with much lower cumulative energy demand than conventional hydrogenation. Overall, the coupled hydrogenation concept offers an attractive approach to increase the viability of PEC water splitting while at the same time decarbonizing valuable chemical production.
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Nanocomposite Membranes for PEM-FCs: Effect of LDH Introduction on the Physic-Chemical Performance of Various Polymer Matrices. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15030502. [PMID: 36771803 PMCID: PMC9921102 DOI: 10.3390/polym15030502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This is a comparative study to clarify the effect of the introduction of layered double hydroxide (LDH) into various polymer matrices. One perfluorosulfonic acid polymer, i.e., Nafion, and two polyaromatic polymers such as sulfonated polyether ether ketone (sPEEK) and sulfonated polysulfone (sPSU), were used for the preparation of nanocomposite membranes at 3 wt.% of LDH loading. Thereafter, the PEMs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) for their microstructural and thermomechanical features, whereas water dynamics and proton conductivity were investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG and T1) and EIS spectroscopies, respectively. Depending on the hosting matrix, the LDHs can simply provide additional hydrophilic sites or act as physical crosslinkers. In the latter case, an impressive enhancement of both dimensional stability and electrochemical performance was observed. While pristine sPSU exhibited the lowest proton conductivity, the sPSU/LDH nanocomposite was able to compete with Nafion, yielding a conductivity of 122 mS cm-1 at 120 °C and 90% RH with an activation energy of only 8.7 kJ mol-1. The outcome must be ascribed to the mutual and beneficial interaction of the LDH nanoplatelets with the functional groups of sPSU, therefore the choice of the appropriate filler is pivotal for the preparation of highly-performing composites.
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V PN. Influence of sulfonated SBA - 15 on fuel cell performance of sulfonated polysulfone electrolyte membranes. HIGH PERFORM POLYM 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/09540083221144257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The prepared mesoporous SBA-15 (Santa Barbara Amorphous-15) was sulfonated and used as filler for the preparation of sulfonated polysulfone based composite electrolyte membranes. The SBA-15 and polysulfone were sulfonated using 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane and trimethylsilyl chlorosulfonate, respectively. The different weight percentages (1, 3, and 5 wt%) of sulfonated SBA-15 (SSBA-15) were used to prepare composite electrolyte membranes. Water uptake, ion exchange capacity, swelling ratio and proton conductivity of the composite membranes were studied for assessing the suitability of the electrolyte membranes for use in fuel cells. Characterization techniques such as FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM and Brunauer–Emmett– Teller were used to study the physico-chemical properties of the electrolyte membranes. TEM and BET analysis showed that SBA -15 retained its mesoporous structure even after sulfonation process. The prepared membranes were then tested in an in-house built single-cell fuel cell using hydrogen as fuel and oxygen as the oxidant. The fuel cell study showed that the presence of Sulfonated SBA-15 in the polymer matrix provided additional ion exchange sites and retained water for proton transfer which resulted in higher power density of 815 mW/cm2 with SPSU + 3% SSBA-15 membrane as compared with Nafion 117®.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhu N V
- Department of Chemistry, Easwari Engineering College, Chennai, India
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Thangarasu S, Oh TH. Recent Developments on Bioinspired Cellulose Containing Polymer Nanocomposite Cation and Anion Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells (PEMFC and AFC). Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14235248. [PMID: 36501640 PMCID: PMC9738973 DOI: 10.3390/polym14235248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen fuel cell (FC) technologies are being worked on as a possible replacement for fossil fuels because they produce a lot of energy and do not pollute the air. In FC, ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) are the vital components for ion transport between two porous electrodes. However, the high production cost of commercialized membranes limits their benefits. Various research has focused on cellulose-based membranes such as IEM with high proton conductivity, and mechanical, chemical, and thermal stabilities to replace the high cost of synthetic polymer materials. In this review, we focus on and explain the recent progress (from 2018 to 2022) of cellulose-containing hybrid membranes as cation exchange membranes (CEM) and anion exchange membranes (AEM) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and alkaline fuel cells (AFC). In this account, we focused primarily on the effect of cellulose materials in various membranes on the functional properties of various polymer membranes. The development of hybrid membranes with cellulose for PEMFC and AFC has been classified based on the combination of other polymers and materials. For PEMFC, the sections are associated with cellulose with Nafion, polyaryletherketone, various polymeric materials, ionic liquid, inorganic fillers, and natural materials. Moreover, the cellulose-containing AEM for AFC has been summarized in detail. Furthermore, this review explains the significance of cellulose and cellulose derivative-modified membranes during fuel cell performance. Notably, this review shows the vital information needed to improve the ion exchange membrane in PEMFC and AFC technologies.
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Zavorotnaya UM, Privalov AF, Kresse B, Vogel M, Ponomarev II, Volkova YA, Sinitsyn VV. Diffusion in Sulfonated Co-Polynaphthoyleneimide Proton Exchange Membranes with Different Ratios of Hydrophylic to Hydrophobic Groups Studied Using SFG NMR. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ulyana M. Zavorotnaya
- Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 6, 64289, Darmstadt, Germany
- A.M. Prokhorov Institute of General Physics RAS, Vavilova Street 38, 119991, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexei F. Privalov
- Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 6, 64289, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Benjamin Kresse
- Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 6, 64289, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Michael Vogel
- Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 6, 64289, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Igor I. Ponomarev
- A.N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Vavilova Street 28, 119991, GSP-1, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia A. Volkova
- A.N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds, Vavilova Street 28, 119991, GSP-1, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vitaly V. Sinitsyn
- Institute of Solid State Physics RAS, 2 Academician Ossipyan Street, 142432, Chernogolovka, Russia
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Deng C, Liu Q, Zhang S, Wang Z, Chen Y, Jian X. Preparation and Properties of Sulfonated Poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) Membranes for Electrodialysis. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14091723. [PMID: 35566892 PMCID: PMC9105782 DOI: 10.3390/polym14091723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketones) (SPPEK) with ion exchange capacities from 0.77 to 1.82 mmol·g−1 are synthesized via an electrophilic substitution reaction. Nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared absorption spectroscopy are used to characterize the chemical structure of the obtained polymers for confirming the successful introduction of sulfonic groups. SPPEKs show excellent thermal stability; their temperature required to achieve 5% weight loss is about 360 °C. Accordingly, the obtained membranes possess high ion perm-selectivity, proton conductivity, and low area resistance. Regarding the electrodialysis-related performance of the membranes, the SPPEK-4 membrane has the highest limiting current density (39.8 mA·cm2), resulting from its high content of sulfonic groups. In a desalination test of standard solution, SPPEK-3 and SPPEK-4 membranes exhibit both better salt removal rate and acceptable energy consumption than commercial membrane. Additionally, SPPEK-3 membrane shows outstanding performance in terms of high concentration rate and low energy consumption during saline water treatment, which indicates the feasibility of novel membranes in electrodialysis application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; (C.D.); (Q.L.); (Z.W.); (Y.C.); (X.J.)
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; (C.D.); (Q.L.); (Z.W.); (Y.C.); (X.J.)
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes, High Performance Polymer Engineering Research Center, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Shouhai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; (C.D.); (Q.L.); (Z.W.); (Y.C.); (X.J.)
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes, High Performance Polymer Engineering Research Center, Dalian 116024, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-411-8498-6107
| | - Zhaoqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; (C.D.); (Q.L.); (Z.W.); (Y.C.); (X.J.)
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes, High Performance Polymer Engineering Research Center, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Yuning Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; (C.D.); (Q.L.); (Z.W.); (Y.C.); (X.J.)
| | - Xigao Jian
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; (C.D.); (Q.L.); (Z.W.); (Y.C.); (X.J.)
- Dalian Key Laboratory of Membrane Materials and Membrane Processes, High Performance Polymer Engineering Research Center, Dalian 116024, China
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Elucidating the Water and Methanol Dynamics in Sulfonated Polyether Ether Ketone Nanocomposite Membranes Bearing Layered Double Hydroxides. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12040419. [PMID: 35448389 PMCID: PMC9028358 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12040419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Conventional Nafion membranes demonstrate a strong affinity for methanol, resulting in a high fuel crossover, poor mechanical stability, and thus poor performance in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). This study involves the synthesis and physiochemical characterization of an alternative polymer electrolyte membrane for DMFCs based on sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) and a layered double hydroxide (LDH) material. Nanocomposite membranes (sPL), with filler loading ranging between 1 wt% and 5 wt%, were prepared by simple solution intercalation and characterized by XRD, DMA, swelling tests, and EIS. For the first time, water and methanol mobility inside the hydrophilic channels of sPEEK-LDH membranes were characterized by NMR techniques. The introduction of LDH nanoplatelets improved the dimensional stability while having a detrimental effect on methanol mobility, with its self-diffusion coefficient almost two orders of magnitude lower than that of water. It is worth noting that anionic lamellae are directly involved in the proton transport mechanism, thus enabling the formation of highly interconnected paths for proton conduction. In this regard, sPL3 yielded a proton conductivity of 110 mS cm−1 at 120 °C and 90% RH, almost attaining the performance of the Nafion benchmark. The nanocomposite membrane also showed an excellent oxidative stability (over more than 24 h) during Fenton’s test at 80 °C. These preliminary results demonstrate that an sPL3 nanocomposite can be potentially and successfully applied in DMFCs.
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Simari C, Lufrano E, Rehman MHU, Zhegur-Khais A, Haj-Bsoul S, Dekel DR, Nicotera I. Effect of LDH platelets on the transport properties and carbonation of anion exchange membranes. Electrochim Acta 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.139713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Sulfonated Polysulfone/TiO 2(B) Nanowires Composite Membranes as Polymer Electrolytes in Fuel Cells. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13122030. [PMID: 34205824 PMCID: PMC8234381 DOI: 10.3390/polym13122030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
New proton conducting membranes based on sulfonated polysulfone (sPSU) reinforced with TiO2(B) nanowires (1, 2, 5 and 10 wt.%) were synthesized and characterized. TiO2(B) nanowires were synthesized by means of a hydrothermal method by mixing TiO2 precursor in aqueous solution of NaOH as solvent. The presence of the TiO2(B) nanowires into the polymer were confirmed by means of Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction. The thermal study showed an increase of almost 20 °C in the maximum temperature of sPSU backbone decomposition due to the presence of 10 wt.% TiO2(B) nanowires. Water uptake also is improved with the presence of hydrophilic TiO2(B) nanowires. Proton conductivity of sPSU with 10 wt.% TiO2(B) nanowires was 21 mS cm−1 (at 85 °C and 100% RH). Under these experimental conditions the power density was 350 mW cm−2 similar to the value obtained for Nafion 117. Considering all these obtained results, the composite membrane doped with 10 wt.% TiO2(B) nanowires is a promising candidate as proton exchange electrolyte in fuel cells (PEMFCs), especially those operating at high temperatures.
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