Photocurable Poly-AMPS-Based Proton Exchange Membranes For Fuel Cells

Abstract

Over the last 30 years, a variety of polymers have been developed and investigated as potential replacements for Nafion®. As with Nafion®, the majority of investigated polymers are poly sulfonic acids though alternate ionomers based on phosphonic acid6, and benzimidazole8 are also considered. As a class, sulfonated aromatic polymers tend to be easier to synthesize and thus less expensive than Nafion®. Polymers synthesized from less expensive strong acid vinyl monomers such as 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) are also considered and indeed this monomer is utilized within this paper. An additional benefit of this monomer is that it is amenable to photo induced polymerization which we herein present as a relatively uncomplicated method for preparing PEMs with nevertheless quite high proton conductivity. Further tests are planned to determine the real applicability of such polymers for use in PEMFCs.