Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/10567
Title: Development of blends and composites of SPEEK as electrolyte membranes for fuel cells
Researcher: Guhan S
Guide(s): Sangeetha, D
Keywords: Fuel cells, electrolyte membrances, thermal studies
Upload Date: 19-Aug-2013
University: Anna University
Completed Date: 2011
Abstract: Hydrogen is not just a fuel. Hydrogen is a fuel that will allow the imminent transition from the fossil fuel economy. The energy system in which hydrogen has a prominent role is often referred to as the Hydrogen Economy. Inspite of various research studies, the commercialization of fuel cells are still facing hiccups. One such hiccup is the cost and environmental issues of Nafion. The aim of the present research work is to synthesize and characterize polymer electrolyte membranes that can act as a replacement for Nafion. With this concept in mind, poly ether ether ketone is considered for the fabrication of electrolytes. Five series of electrolyte membranes were fabricated and characterized in the current study. It includes blending of sulphonated polyether ether ketone with polysulphone, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyether ether sulphone and composite membranes of SPEEK with polyvinyl alcohol, phosphotungstic acid and polyvinyl alcohol-co-ethylene and silicotungstic acid. The thermal studies clearly confirmed that the composite membranes are stable even at temperatures above 200and#730;C. PVA and PVA-coethylene appeared to be the major contributor for the tensile strength. Hence with decrease in the content of PVA and PVA-co-ethylene, there is a decrease in the tensile property of the resulting composite membrane. Collectively, it may be inferred that the various blend and composite membranes showed good proton conduction which is very important for consideration as an electrolyte in fuel cell. Because of the low methanol permeation, the blend membranes offered a good fuel cell performance when compared with the commercial membrane Nafion as well as pristine SPEEK. From the current investigation, it may be concluded that the blend membranes could act as an excellent replacement for Nafion 117 in DMFC due to an appreciable reduction in the methanol permeation when compared to SPEEK. The composite membranes could act efficiently in PEMFC. newline
Pagination: xxvii, 180
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/10567
Appears in Departments:Faculty of Science and Humanities

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01_title.pdfAttached File26.12 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
02_certificates.pdf155.66 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
03_abstract.pdf65.89 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
04_acknowledgement.pdf24.28 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
05_contents.pdf128.06 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
06_chapter 1.pdf688.77 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
07_chapter 2.pdf285.05 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
08_chapter 3.pdf1.45 MBAdobe PDFView/Open
09_chapter 4.pdf217.99 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
10_appendix 1.pdf206.3 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
11_references.pdf202.72 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
12_publications.pdf75.16 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
13_vitae.pdf47.64 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
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