Document Type
Grant
Publication Date
9-1-2023
Department
Chemistry
Abstract
The primary goal of this research was to improve the current Proton Exchange Membrane Synthesis and Characterization laboratory exercise for CHEM 411. 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. Improvements to this lab were made by creating a conductivity cell and a procedure for measuring the conductivity of the PEM with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In addition to using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, water uptake and percent sulfonation will be used to compare PEEK PEMs to Nafion PEMs.
First Advisor
Kopitzke, Robert
