Graft-type polymer electrolyte membranes consisting of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and inorganic nanoparticles

Hasegawa, Shin; Fukasawa, Hideyuki*; Koshikawa, Hiroshi; Chen, J.; Maekawa, Yasunari

Polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) with high proton conductivity at low relative humidity (RH) and superior mechanical properties at high RH were required for commercialization of fuel cells. Herein, we investigated highly conducting and mechanically stable graft-type PEMs (PEEK-PEM) based on an aromatic hydrocarbon polymers, poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK). According to the high mechanical strength, the thin PEEK-PEM (10 m) could be prepared and showed higher power generation density than that of Nafion. In addition, Hybrid PEEK-PEMs with inorganic nano-particles such as silica and almina were prepared for further mechanical reinforcement of PEEK-PEMs.