Modification of polyetheretherketone film for application in fuel cells

Chen, J.; Asano, Masaharu; Maekawa, Yasunari

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) films were modified by thermal grafting of divinylbenzene (DVB) followed by radiation grafting of ethyl styrenesulfonate (ETSS), to develop a polymer electrolyte membrane for use in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells or direct methanol fuel cells. The DVB-grafting considerably enhanced the subsequent ETSS-grafting. The ETSS units were converted to styrenesulfonic acid units by hydrolysis in water, resulting in a PEEK/DVB polymer electrolyte membrane. This new membrane was tested in a fuel cell, and a high cell performance was confirmed. Therefore, we conclude that this modified PEEK film can be used as the PEM for the application in fuel cells.