| dc.description.abstract | Abstract
Currently, the majority of fuel cell membrane production relies on the solution casting method, which often involves the use of environmentally harmful solvents such as NMP. In order to align with green and sustainable goals, it is necessary to develop new manufacturing processes that reduce production time and replace toxic solvents, while still producing materials that meet the basic requirements for fuel cell applications.
This study focuses on finding small molecule materials that possess both photo-crosslinking and film-forming properties. Linear hydrophilic small molecules with dual acrylate functional groups are chosen as the main material structure. These molecules are combined with 1-vinylimidazole, which acts as a proton conductor, and Acid Modify Methylacrylate (EDM) with phosphate groups, serving as the constituents of the entire film. The mixing dispersion is achieved using only ethanol. During the photo-curing process, a single UV light source with a wavelength of 365 nm is used, along with corresponding photo-initiators, enabling rapid film formation with a complete film being produced in just 20 seconds.
In the utilization of the main structural materials, namely Tetra(ethylene glycol)diacrylate (QEGDA), Tetra(ethylene glycol)diacrylate (QEGDMA), and Tri(proplene glycol)diacrylate (TPGDA), a sufficient amount of imidazole molecules and EDM is present to facilitate overall film conductivity, as long as the total weight ratio does not exceed 40wt%. In cases where the proportion of the main material forming a network structure is relatively low, a balance between conductivity and film strength is achieved by adjusting the light exposure time and the amount of photo-initiator used. Films produced using QEGDA exhibit a highly uniform surface. When the molar ratio of water uptake to imidazole is 1:1, the film demonstrates a conductivity of 4.51-2S/cm at 80℃. Other films also exhibit conductivity levels ranging from 1.0 to 3.51-2 S/cm during the temperature ramp-up process. Notably, films created through photo crosslinking display advantages such as maintaining low volume swelling (10-20%) under high water uptake conditions and possessing a certain degree of chemical stability. | en_US |