723m

Supramolecular Proton Exchange Membranes

Alan Fuchs1, Joko Sutrisno1, Cahit Evrensel2, Faramarz Gordaninejad2, Barkan Kavlicoglu2, and Yanming Liu2. (1) Chemical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV 89557, (2) Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Mailstop 170, Reno, NV 89557-0136

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) were prepared using Polybenzimidazole (PBI) copolymer synthesized from isophtalic acid and 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride dehydrate which produce a hydrophobic block. Hydrophilic polyamide (PA) blocks were synthesized from isophtalic acid and 4,4'-diamino-2,2'-biphenyldisulfonic acid. The addition of pentadecylphenol (PDP) forms supramolecular structures via phase separation (hydrophilic – hydrophobic). Composite membranes were also synthesized from polyamic acid and organoclay treated acid. The supramolecular sulfonated-PA / PDP / PBI membrane was tested in both the tangential and radial directions. Proton conductivity for this membrane is 3.3 x 10-3 S/cm in the tangential direction and 1.03 x 10-3 S/cm in the radial direction. In addition, proton conductivity for the composite membrane is 2.56.10-2 S/cm (80 oC).