Incorporation of benzimidazolium ionic liquid in proton exchange membranes ABPBI-H3PO4
By Carrillo, Rubí Hernàndez; Suarez-Guevara, Jullieth; Torres-Gonzàlez, Luis Carlos; Gómez-Romero, Pedro & Sànchez, Eduardo M.
Published in Journal of Molecular Liquids
2013
Abstract
This paper presents the development of proton exchange membranes (PEM) from the incorporation of poly (2,5-benzimidazole) (ABPBI) in phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-ethylbenzimidazolium dihydrogen phosphate (BEBzIm-H2PO4). We show structural, physicochemical and electrochemical characterization of synthesized IL and prepared membranes. The addition of IL in composite membranes of ABPBI-H3PO4 increases thermal stability. Also, the conductivity of membranes increases with temperature and the amount of absorbed mixture. Conductivity at a range of 10- 4 S/cm was achieved at 150 °C by 50% IL and 50% phosphoric acid impregnation. This conducting composite membrane shows promise for operation in temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells at working temperatures up to 100 °C.