Synthesis and characterization of proton exchange membranes from blend of unsaturated polyester resin and natural rubber

  ijett-book-cover  International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT)          
  
© 2013 by IJETT Journal
Volume-4 Issue-9                      
Year of Publication : 2013
Authors : Karoll Andrea Romero Jiménez , Alvaro Realpe Jiménez , María Acevedo Morantes

Citation 

Karoll Andrea Romero Jiménez , Alvaro Realpe Jiménez , María Acevedo Morantes. "Synthesis and characterization of proton exchange membranes from blend of unsaturated polyester resin and natural rubber ". International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT). V4(9):4005-4009 Sep 2013. ISSN:2231-5381. www.ijettjournal.org. published by seventh sense research group.

Abstract

In the present work proton exchange membranes were synthesized from the blend between unsaturated polyester resin and natural rubber. This polymer blend was vulcanized and loaded with titanium dioxide. The membranes prepared were characterized by evaluating water uptake, ion exchange capacity and tensile strength . Both, vulcanization and introduction of charge increase the water uptake and ion exchange capacity of polymeric membrane , however, vulcanized membranes show better water uptake (15.96%) and ion exchange (0.1210 meq/g ) than charged with titanium and u nmodified membranes . The blend prepared was proved to be suitable for fuel cells, since it exhibits Young’s modulus and maximum strain higher than Nafion® commercial membranes. The results obtained suggest high potential for the application as proton excha nge membrane for fuel cells.

References

[1] N. Jalani, S. Mizar, P. Choi, C. Furlong and R. Datta, “Optomechanical characterization of proton - exchange membrane fuel cells”, Proc. SPIE, vol. 5532, pp. 316 – 571, 2004.
[2] S.M.J. Zaidi and T. Matsura (Eds), Polymer membranes for fuel cells. Ed. New York, United States of America: Springer, 2009.
[3] J. Mark, B. Erman and M. Roland (Eds), Science and Technology of Rubber, 3rd ed., Ed. Waltham, United States of America: Elsevier Academic Press, 2013
[4] V. Shahi, “Highly charged proton - exchange membrane: Sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) - silica polyelectrolyte composite membranes for fuel cells”, Solid State Ionics, vol. 177, pp. 3395 – 3404, 2007.
[5] J. Ba lster, O. Krupenko, I. Pünt, D. Stamatialis and M. Wessling, “Preparation and characterisation of monovalent ion selective cation exchange membranes based on sulphonated poly(ether ether ketone)”, Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 263, pp. 137 – 145, 2005.
[6] L . Wang, Li. K., G. Zhu and J. Li, “Preparation and properties of highly branched sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)s doped with antioxidant 1010 as proton exchange membranes”, Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 379, pp. 440 – 448, 2011.
[7] L. Barbora, S. Achary a and A. Verma, “Synthesis and Ex - situ Characterization of Nafion/TiO 2 Composite Membranes for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell”, Macromolecular Symposia, vol. 277, pp. 177 – 189, 2009.
[8] S.J. Skinner and T.J. Drakeley, “Water Absorption by Rubber. Part II. Vulcanize d Rubber”, Rubber Chemistry and Technology, vol. 6, pp. 12 - 23, March 1933.
[9] (2013) The BASF Chemical Company, Chile. [Online]. Available: http://www.basf.cl/sac/web/chile/es_ES/palatal/ resina_poliester/
[10] M. Amjadi, S. Rowshanzamir, S. Peighambardoust, M. Ho sseini and M. Eikani, “Investigation of physical properties and cell performance oNafion/TiO 2 nanocomposite membranes for high temperature PEM fuel cells”, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 35, 9252 – 9260, 2010.
[11] P. Martínez and E. Rus, Separa tion operations in chemical engineering, calculation methods [Operaciones de separación en ingeniería química, métodos de cálculo], Ed. Madrid, España: Pearson Educación S.A., 2004.
[12] “DuPont Nafion PFSA Membranes: N 115, N 117, N 1110 data sheet”, DuPont, W ilmington, United States of America.
[13] F. Barroso - Bujans, R. Verdejo, A. Lozano, J. Fierro and M. Lopez - Manchado, “Sulfonation of vulcanized ethylene – propylene – diene terpolymer membranes”, Acta Materialia, vol. 56, pp. 4780 – 4788, 2008.
[14] Z. Yang, D. Cout inho, D. Yang, K. Balkus and J. Ferraris, “ Proton - conducting membranes based on HTFSI - doped PEI/SiO2 nanocomposites”, Journal of Membrane Science, vol. 313, pp. 91 – 96, 2008.

Keywords
Proton exchange membrane, unsaturated polyester, natural rubber, vulcanization, titanium dioxide.