Performance of Differently Cross‐Linked, Partially Fluorinated Proton Exchange Membranes in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

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Abstract
A series of differently cross‐linked FEP‐g‐polystyrene proton exchange membranes has been synthesized by the preirradiation grafting method [FEP: poly(tetrafluoroethylene‐co‐hexafluoropropylene)]. Divinylbenzene (DVB) and/or triallyl cyanurate (TAC) were used as cross‐linkers in the membranes. It was found that the physical properties of the membranes, such as water‐uptake and specific resistance, are strongly influenced by the nature of the cross‐linker. Generally it can be stated that DVB decreases water‐uptake and increases specific resistance; on the other hand TAC increases swelling and decreases specific resistance to values as low as 5.0 Ω cm at 60°C. The membranes were tested in fuel cells for stability and performance. It was found that thick (170 μm) DVB cross‐linked membranes showed stable operation for 1400 h at temperatures up to 80°C. The highest power density in the fuel cell was found for the DVB and TAC double‐cross‐linked membrane; it exceeded the value of a cell with a Nafion® 117 membrane by more than 60%.

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