Blending Polymeric Ion Exchange Membranes: Effect of Charged Functional Groups on the Membrane Structures

Fuel cells are considered attractive energy sources due to their high energy density, environmental friendliness, and operation without the combustion of petroleum. Among the various types of fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells are more convenient than hydrogen cells because they can be handled easily. New sulfonated hydrocarbon proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for direct methanol fuel cells have been prepared by blending sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) with polyethersulfone (PES) to decrease methanol permeability while maintaining high proton conductivity. Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed in order to assess the effects of the blending on the membrane properties and to suggest how to improve the understanding about the effect of charged functional groups on the polymeric ion exchange membrane structures. Acknowledgment This work was funded by Gyeongsang National University in the framework of the Research Agreement between the Gyeongsang National University and the Institute on Membrane Technology - National Research Council.