Performance of Differently Cross‐Linked, Partially Fluorinated Proton Exchange Membranes in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Abstract

A series of differently cross-linked FEP-g-polystyrene proton exchange membranes has been synthesized by the preirradiation grafting method [FEP: poly(tetrafluoroethylene-<em>co</em>-hexafluoropropylene)]. Divinylbenzene (DVB) and/or triallyl cyanurate (TAC) were used as cross-linkers in the membranes. It was found that the physical properties of the membranes, such as water-uptake and specific resistance, are strongly influenced by the nature of the cross-linker. Generally it can be stated that DVB decreases water-uptake and increases specific resistance; on the other hand TAC increases swelling and decreases specific resistance to values as low as 5.0 Ω cm at 60°C. The membranes were tested in H₂/O₂ fuel cells for stability and performance. It was found that thick (170 µm) DVB cross-linked membranes showed stable operation for 1400 h at temperatures up to 80°C. The highest power density in the fuel cell was found for the DVB and TAC double-cross-linked membrane; it exceeded the value of a cell with a Nafion^® 117 membrane by more than 60%.