Sulfonated Poly(Arylene Ether Sulfone) and Perfluorosulfonic Acid Composite Membranes Containing Perfluoropolyether Grafted Graphene Oxide for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Applications

Sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) and perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) composite membranes were prepared using perfluoropolyether grafted graphene oxide (PFPE-GO) as a reinforcing filler for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications. PFPE-GO was obtained by grafting poly(hexafluoropropylene oxide) having a carboxylic acid end group onto the surface of GO via ring opening reaction between the carboxylic acid group in poly(hexafluoropropylene oxide) and the epoxide groups in GO, using 4-dimethylaminopyridine as a base catalyst. Both SPAES and PFSA composite membranes containing PFPE-GO showed much improved mechanical strength and dimensional stability, compared to each linear SPAES and PFSA membrane, respectively. The enhanced mechanical strength and dimensional stability of composite membranes can be ascribed to the homogeneous dispersion of rigid conjugated carbon units in GO through the increased interfacial interactions between PFPE-GO and SPAES/PFSA matrices.