Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society (한국수소및신에너지학회논문집)

The Korean Hydrogen and New Energy Society (한국수소및신에너지학회)
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Synthesis and Characterization of Polybenzimidazole Random Copolymers Containing Methylene Chain for High Temperature PEMFC

고온 PEMFC용 메틸렌 사슬을 포함하는 폴리벤즈이미다졸 랜덤 공중합체의 합성과 특성 분석

  • HAN, DAEUN (Department of Energy Storage/Conversion Engineering of Graduate School, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research Center, Chonbuk National University) ;
  • YOO, DONG JIN (Department of Energy Storage/Conversion Engineering of Graduate School, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research Center, Chonbuk National University)
  • 한다은 (전북대학교 대학원 공과대학교 에너지저장.변환공학과 및 수소.연료전지 연구센터) ;
  • 유동진 (전북대학교 대학원 공과대학교 에너지저장.변환공학과 및 수소.연료전지 연구센터)
  • Received : 2018.10.09
  • Accepted : 2018.12.30
  • Published : 2018.12.30
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Abstract

In this study, we prepared the modified PBI random copolymer to reduce the problems of the pristine PBI about low solubility and proton conductivity. The random copolymer was synthesized from suberic acid, 5-aminoisophthalic acid, and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine to obtain $X_1Y_9$, $X_1Y_1$, $X_9Y_1$. Then, the membrane was fabricated by using solvent casting method with methanesulfonic acid at $140^{\circ}C$. Subsequently, the membrane was doped with phosphoric acid at $40^{\circ}C$. The chemical structure of the polymers was characterized by FT-IR. In addition, the physiochemical properties of the PBI were investigated by TGA, oxidative stability, acid uptake. Finally, the proton conductivity was measured at $100-180^{\circ}C$ without humidification. As the result, $X_1Y_9$ PBI random copolymer membrane showed higher conductivity.

Keywords

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Fig. 1. Structures of (1) polybenzimidazole random copolymer (XY) and (2) m-polybenzimidazole (m-PBI) polymer.

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Fig. 2. FT-IR spectroscopy of the PBI random copolymers: (A) X1Y9, (B) X1Y1, (C) X9Y1, and (D) m-PBI.

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Fig. 3. TGA curves of the PBI copolymers: (A) X1Y9, (B) X1Y1, (C) X9Y1, and (D) m-PBI.

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Fig. 4. Acid uptake of the PBI polymers: (a) X1Y9, (b) X1Y1, (c) X9Y1, and (d) m-PBI.

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Fig. 5. Oxidative stability of the PBI polymers: (A) X1Y9, (B) X1Y1, (C) X9Y1, and (D) m-PBI.

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Fig. 6. SEM images of the PBI polymers: (a) X1Y9, (b) X1Y1, (c) X9Y1, and (d) m-PBI.

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Fig. 7. Proton conductivity of the PBI copolymers(XY): (A) X1Y9, (B) X1Y1, and (C) X9Y1.

Table 1. Solubility tests of the PBI polymers

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Table 3. Oxidative stability of the PBI polymers

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Table 4. EDAX results of the PBI polymers.

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Table 2. (a) Swelling ratio and (b) acid uptake of the PBI polymersa

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