Sulfonated Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) / Fly Ash Composite Membranes for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Applications

ABSTRACT

Polymer composite membranes composed of crosslinked sulfonated poly(vinyl alcohol) (SPVA) and fly ash (FA) were prepared via solution casting method. The physicochemical properties of these electrolyte membranes were studied in detail. SEM and XRD results provide evidence for the successful incorporation of fly ash into the SPVA matrix. As such SPVA polymer loaded with 20 wt.% of fly ash exhibited the ionic conductivity of 0.016 S. cm⁻¹, whereas pristine membrane occurred to show 0.008 S. cm⁻¹. The substantial results achieved with the organic-inorganic composites have been demonstrated and reported membranes can be a feasible electrolyte for fuel cell applications.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Poly(vinyl alcohol)
• fuel cell
• composite membrane
• proton conductivity
• fly ash

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank DST-FIST (fund for the improvement of S&T infrastructure) for the financial assistance at the Department of Chemistry, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, No.SR/FST/CST-266/2015(c).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology [SR/FST/CST-266/2015(c)].

Notes on contributors

Paradesi Deivanayagam

Gugan Punniakotti completed his Master Degree in Chemistry from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India. He is currently working in the field of polymer nanocomposites, polymer blends, solid polymer electrolytes membranes for fuel cell applications.

Dr. Gandhimathi Sivasubramanian completed her Ph.D degree in Physics from Anna University, Tamilnadu, India. She is currently working as Assistant Professor in Department of Physics, SRM Valliammai Engineering College, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India. She is working in the field of electrolyte membranes, fuel cells and laser physics.

Dr. Senthil Andavan Gurusamy Thangavelu

completed his Ph.D degree in Chemistry from IIT Kanpur and pursued his postdoctoral career from USA. He occupied as quick hire scientist at CSIR-CLRI prior to join as Research Associate Professor in Department of Chemistry, SRM IST, Kattankulathur. His research interest covers sustainable polymers, organometallic chemistry and nanoscience.

Dr. Paradesi Deivanayagam completed his Ph.D in Chemistry from University of Madras, Tamilnadu, India. He is currently working as Assistant Professor in Department of Chemistry, SRM IST, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India. His research interests are polymer, polymer composites, fuel cell and analytical chemistry.