Functionalize the polymer
React PEVA with sulfosuccinic acid to introduce sulfonic acid groups relevant to proton transport.
Education / B.Sc. Research
B.Sc. Research Project · 2008–2011
Model Proton-Conducting Membrane Based on Poly(Ethylene-co-Vinyl Alcohol)
Research project focused on the preparation and characterization of a crosslinked, proton-conducting PEVA-based membrane for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel-cell applications.
The Research Project
A proton-conducting membrane based on a PEVA polymer matrix.
The project investigated the preparation and characterization of a proton-conducting membrane based on poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol), or PEVA, for possible use in low temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.
PEVA was reacted with sulfosuccinic acid, which introduced sulfonic acid groups and enabled initial crosslinking through esterification. The remaining hydroxyl groups were subsequently crosslinked with glutaraldehyde through acetal formation. This second crosslinking step improved the mechanical stability of the membrane, particularly in an aqueous environment.
The course of the synthesis was monitored by FTIR. Ion-exchange capacity (IEC) was determined by acid-base titration, while electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) was used to examine the stabilizing effect of cerium ions on membrane degradation. The prepared membranes were then used to produce membrane-electrode assemblies and were evaluated in a model PEM fuel cell by recording current-voltage characteristics.
Research Objectives
Preparation and evaluation of a modified PEVA membrane.
Crosslink the membrane
Use esterification and glutaraldehyde-based acetal formation to improve membrane stability in water.
Characterize the material
Monitor the synthesis and determine selected physicochemical properties using FTIR, titration and EPR.
Test fuel-cell applicability
Prepare membrane-electrode assemblies and record the current-voltage characteristics of a model PEM fuel cell.
Research Workflow
From polymer modification to fuel-cell testing.
01
PEVA polymer matrix
→
02
Sulfosuccinic-acid reaction and initial crosslinking
→
03
Glutaraldehyde crosslinking
→
04
FTIR, ion-exchange capacity and EPR
→
05
MEA preparation and PEM fuel-cell testing
Methods
Research methods
Academic Experience
Work completed during the project
- Preparation of proton-conducting membranes based on PEVA.
- Functionalization and initial crosslinking of PEVA using sulfosuccinic acid.
- Further crosslinking with glutaraldehyde to improve membrane stability in aqueous conditions.
- Monitoring of the synthesis by FTIR spectroscopy.
- Determination of ion-exchange capacity by acid-base titration.
- EPR investigation of the stabilizing effect of cerium ions on membrane degradation.
- Preparation of membrane-electrode assemblies.
- Recording of current-voltage characteristics in a model PEM fuel cell.
Recognition
Award for the Best B.Sc. Project
Student’s Section of the Polish Chemical Society
The project received the award for the best B.Sc. project in May 2011.
Subsequent Research
Continued during the M.Sc. project.
The later M.Sc. research continued the work on proton-conducting polymer membranes using a different polymer system based on poly(vinyl alcohol).
Unlike PEVA, PVA is soluble in water. The M.Sc. project therefore introduced additional challenges related to polymer modification, membrane crosslinking, mechanical stability in aqueous environments and broader material and electrochemical characterization.
The experimental approaches used in the B.Sc. project—including polymer functionalization, crosslinking, membrane preparation and electrochemical evaluation—provided a basis for this subsequent work.
View the M.Sc. research project →