MEA fabrication by hot-pressing using poly (arylene ether) based proton exchange membrane and NafionŽ impregnated electrodes

FUEL 167

Masahiro Yamashita, Yoshimitsu Sakaguchi, Kota Kitamura, and Satoshi Takase. Research Center, Toyobo Co., Ltd, 1-1 Katata 2-Chome, Otsu, Shiga, 520-0292, Japan
We have been reporting about sulfonated poly (arylene ether)s such as sulfonated poly (ether ketone)s containing phenoxybiphenylene unit, sulfonated poly (ether sulfone)s containing fluorene unit and sulfonated poly (ether sulfone nitrile) copolymers. In those study, proton conductivities were mainly dominated by ion exchange capacity (IEC). However, dimensional stability under humidified conditions was influenced by polymer structure as well as IEC. In this study, we would like to show some trial results of MEA fabrication of sulfonated poly (arylene ether) membranes and NafionŽ impregnated electrodes using hot-pressing techniques, which involves temperature and pressure to establish a low impedance membrane-electrode interface. Without post-humidification of the membrane, MEA had difficulties to attach electrodes. On the other hand, using humidified membranes, MEA having a reasonable resistance between membrane and electrodes was obtained. This was a positive effect of water acting as plasticizer helping to produce ohmic interfacial resistance.