Application of Poly (Tetraflouroethylene) Grafted with Styrene/Acrylic Acid for Proton Exchange Fuel Cell

AMMA irradiation was used effectively for grafting styrene
and …….acrylic acid onto commercial poly
(tetraflouroethylene) (PTFE) films with 0.5% alumina nano-particle. It
was found that; 40 KGy was the optimum dose to attain the maximum
grafting yield when the monomers ratio was 60% styrene: 40% acrylic
acid. The prepared membranes are characterized using FT-IR, tensile
strength and scanning electron microscopy. Some parameters such as
water uptake, ion exchange capacity and proton conductivity were
determined in order to examine the membranes capability for the fuel
cell application. The free volumes sizes were evaluated using positron
annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). Fuel cell performance
based the highest grafted yield membrane was tested onto proton
exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The membrane proved their
applicability up to 450 hr that recommend their utility from the cost
benefit point of view.