Abstract
The primary goal of this research was to improve the current Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Synthesis and Characterization laboratory exercise for CHEM 411-Synthesis and Characterization of Materials. Intended improvements to this lab included measuring conductivity of the PEM by finding the best procedure for creating the conductivity cell through both research and experiments in order to add electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the characterizations for the lab. Commercial membranes, such as Nafion, have multiple issues: high cost, high methanol permeability, poor function at elevated temperatures and at low humidity being some of them. Using PEEK to synthesize PEMs can be used as a reduced cost alternative to Nafion as well as reduce methanol permeability. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, water uptake, and percent sulfonation PEEK PEMs will be compared to Nafion PEMs.
College
College of Science & Engineering
Department
Chemistry
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Steven Klankowski
Second Advisor/Mentor
Robert Kopitzke
Start Date
4-19-2023 10:00 AM
End Date
4-19-2023 11:00 AM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
1b=10am-11am
Poster Number
24
Included in
Student Laboratory for Synthesis and Characterization of Proton Exchange Membranes
The primary goal of this research was to improve the current Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Synthesis and Characterization laboratory exercise for CHEM 411-Synthesis and Characterization of Materials. Intended improvements to this lab included measuring conductivity of the PEM by finding the best procedure for creating the conductivity cell through both research and experiments in order to add electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the characterizations for the lab. Commercial membranes, such as Nafion, have multiple issues: high cost, high methanol permeability, poor function at elevated temperatures and at low humidity being some of them. Using PEEK to synthesize PEMs can be used as a reduced cost alternative to Nafion as well as reduce methanol permeability. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, water uptake, and percent sulfonation PEEK PEMs will be compared to Nafion PEMs.
