TITLE:
Control of Microdomain Orientation in Block Copolymer Thin Films by Electric Field for Proton Exchange Membrane
AUTHORS:
Joonwon Bae
KEYWORDS:
Proton Conducting Membrane, Block Copolymer Polyelectrolyte, Microdomain Alignment, Electric Field, Fuel Cell, Proton Conductivity
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Chemical Engineering and Science,
Vol.4 No.2,
April
14,
2014
ABSTRACT: Owing to
the recent push toward efficient energy storage/conversion devices, fuel cells
have become a strong candidate for energy conversion equipments. On the other
hand, block copolymer polyelectrolytes are interesting materials for proton
exchange membranes in fuel cells. Thus a considerable attention has been paid
to the development of block copolymer polyelectrolyte membranes. In this study,
the microdomains in block copolymer polyelectrolytes were controlled by
external electric fields to develop high performance membranes with improved
proton conductivity. The microdomain alignments in sulfonated polystyrene-b-hydrogenated poly butadiene-b-polystyrene block copolymer
electrolyte were monitored by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy
analysis. The proton conductivities of the block copolymer electrolyte
membranes were measured before and after exposure to electric field. In
addition, the morphological features of the block copolymer electrolyte were
observed with small angle x-ray scattering and atomic force microscopy.