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1
Research Scholar, 2, 3 Professors
Chemical Engineering Program, Engineering Faculty
University of Cartagena
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Abstract In the present work proton exchange membranes introduction of titanium dioxide (TiO2) as the inorganic load.
were synthesized from the blend between unsaturated Subsequently, the water uptake and ion exchange capacity
polyester resin and natural rubber. This polymer blend was were quantified for the membranes prepared, which are key
vulcanized and loaded with titanium dioxide. The membranes parameters to determine the proton exchange since they are
prepared were characterized by evaluating water uptake, ion associated to the proton migration mechanisms presented in
exchange capacity and tensile strength. Both, vulcanization this type of membranes. Additionally, a tensile test was
and introduction of charge increase the water uptake and ion performed to verify that the blend prepared have acceptable
exchange capacity of polymeric membrane, however, mechanical properties for the operation in fuel cells.
vulcanized membranes show better water uptake (15.96%)
and ion exchange (0.1210 meq/g) than charged with titanium 2. EXPERIMENTAL
and unmodified membranes. The blend prepared was proved
2.1. Materials
to be suitable for fuel cells, since it exhibits Youngs modulus
and maximum strain higher than Nafion commercial The unsaturated polyester resin used for the development of
membranes. The results obtained suggest high potential for this research is distributed by the company BASF under the
the application as proton exchange membrane for fuel cells. name Palatal COP4. The natural latex was obtained from the
company AV Guantes Industriales (AV Industrial Gloves).
Distilled water, sulfur, rutile titanium dioxide, styrene,
Keywords Proton exchange membrane, unsaturated polyester,
natural rubber, vulcanization, titanium dioxide. hydrochloric acid, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide and
phenolphthalein, were used as reactive for the preparation and
1. INTRODUCTION characterization of the membranes.
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that continuously 2.2. Experimental design
converts chemical energy from a fuel and an oxidant into
In this paper, the blend between polyester and natural
electrical energy, using an electrolyte (membrane). Among the
rubber was modified by the processes of introduction of TiO2
various types of fuel cells, the proton exchange membrane
as inorganic load and dynamic vulcanization. Two factors
fuel cells (PEMFC) are highlighted because they are efficient
were studied: TiO2 content (A) and vulcanization degree (B).
and there is no emission of polluting gaseous oxides [1],
The levels used are listed in Table I.
contributing to reduce the serious global warming problems
that the current society has to face.
Most of the membranes currently used in PEMFC are TABLE I
polymeric, but these are expensive and their lifetime is low [2], EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: FACTORS AND LEVELS
this shows the need to develop alternative polymeric Levels Factor A Factor B
membranes presenting higher mechanical properties and
1 0% TiO2 content Not vulcanized
proton conductivity, while presenting a better cost-benefit
relation than that exhibited from commercially available 2 2% TiO2 content Vulcanized
membranes. The dependent variables for this paper were water uptake
The present research project is focused on the synthesis and and ion exchange capacity. The results were analyzed
evaluation of a new hybrid proton exchange membrane from separately for each factor by one-way ANOVA analysis,
the blend of unsaturated polyester resin and natural rubber. carried out in Microsoft Excel 2010.
This blend was subjected to the processes of vulcanization and
2.3. Polymer blend modification and membrane preparation between polymer chains that takes place in the vulcanization
In order to make the polymer blend, two solutions were reaction.
made. First, 5 g of natural rubber were dissolved in 200 ml of
styrene at 75C for two hours. In parallel, 5 g of polyester
were dissolved in 40 ml of styrene at room temperature.
Subsequently, the blend between both solutions is performed
and then it was stirred for 2 hours to ensure proper dispersion
of the components.
The blend prepared was modified through the vulcanization
reaction and inorganic load introduction process. The blend
was loaded by adding 0.204 g of rutile titanium dioxide, and
mixing the components vigorously at 75C for three hours. To (a) (b)
produce the vulcanization reaction, 0.48 g of sulphur were
added to the blend and reacted for 5 hours at 140C [3].
The resulting solution from each process was poured in 3
Petri dishes and allowed to stand on a level surface, so that the
solvent evaporated and consequently the proton exchange
membranes were formed as thin films, for further
characterization.
2.4. Membrane characterization
For the water uptake measurement, a sample of the dry (c)
membrane prepared is weighed and immersed in distilled
water for 24 hours, then excess water is removed with Fig. 1 (a) Unmodified membrane, without TiO2 and not vulcanized. (b)
absorbent paper and the wet sample is weighed [4]. The water Membrane with TiO2. (c) Vulcanized membrane.
uptake was calculated according to the following equation:
3.1. Water uptake
TABLE III
ANOVA RESULTS FOR ION EXCHANGE CAPACITY
5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank the Administrative
Department of Science, Technology and Innovation of
Colombia (Colciencias) and the University of Cartagena, for
the joint funding of this research project, under the Young
Fig. 4 Stress strain curve for unmodified membrane. Researchers and Innovators 2012 2013 Program.
REFERENCES
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