Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Preparation and Characterization of Proton Exchange Membranes
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Chemistry/Polymer and Materials Science
Minor
Mathematics
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Kevin Miller, PhD; Sourav Chatterjee, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Over the past few decades, polymer membrane fuel cells (PMFCs) have gathered significant interest as an environmentally friendly alternative to typical combustion engines. One of the main components of these cells is the polymer membrane: consisting of an ionic pendant group and its oppositely charged counterion. In the synthesis of these membranes, there has been particular interest in sulfonated compounds such as NafionTM due to their high conductivity and thermal stability.
With the high thermal conductivity and thermal stability in mind, we have synthesized a series of polymer membranes containing pendant sulfonic acid groups for future fuel cell applications. This presentation will show the synthesis of the key monomer containing the sulfonic acid functional group and polymers prepared using a thiol-ene photopolymerization approach. The thermal, mechanical, and conductive properties are discussed.
Spring Scholars Week 2024 Event
Sigma Xi Poster Competition
Preparation and Characterization of Proton Exchange Membranes
Over the past few decades, polymer membrane fuel cells (PMFCs) have gathered significant interest as an environmentally friendly alternative to typical combustion engines. One of the main components of these cells is the polymer membrane: consisting of an ionic pendant group and its oppositely charged counterion. In the synthesis of these membranes, there has been particular interest in sulfonated compounds such as NafionTM due to their high conductivity and thermal stability.
With the high thermal conductivity and thermal stability in mind, we have synthesized a series of polymer membranes containing pendant sulfonic acid groups for future fuel cell applications. This presentation will show the synthesis of the key monomer containing the sulfonic acid functional group and polymers prepared using a thiol-ene photopolymerization approach. The thermal, mechanical, and conductive properties are discussed.