Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-5nwft Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-02T11:04:57.359Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

PECVD process for the preparation of proton conducting membranes for micro fuel cells. Impedance probe measurements and material characterizations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 April 2008

Get access

Abstract

A complete PECVD process for the plasma polymerization of miniature proton exchange membranes (PEM) is presented. Styrene and trifluoromethane sulfonic acid are used as plasmagen precursors in a capacitive coupled low pressure discharge. The process is monitored by impedance probe measurements to ensure stability and reproducibility. FTIR analyses show that such membranes are mainly made up of a polystyrene-like matrix with grafted sulfonic acid groups, which proportion is tuneable as a function of the plasma parameters. The best results in term of deposition rate, monomer structure retention and PEM performances are obtained under pulsed plasma conditions, enhancing radical processes compared to continuous plasma. Because of their thinness and cross-linked structure, such membranes exhibit a similar proton conduction ability and a methanol permeability reduced by a factor 150 compared to Nafion$^{\circledR}$. SEM observations show a good compatibility of plasma polymerized membranes whatever the substrate is. Consequently, PECVD process enables their better integration in micro fuel cells compared to conventional spin coating method.

Keywords

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Uchimoto, Y., Yasuda, K., Ogumi, Z., Takehara, Z.-I., J. Electrochem. Soc. 138, 3190 (1991) CrossRef
Finsterwalder, F., Hambitzer, G., J. Membr. Sci. 185, 105 (2001) CrossRef
Beattie, P.D., Orfino, F.P., Basura, V.I., Zichowska, K., Ding, J., Chuy, C., Schmeisser, J., Holdcroft, S., J. Electroanal. Chem. 503, 45 (2001) CrossRef
Inagaki, N., Tasaka, S., Chengfei, Z., Polymer Bull. 26, 187 (1991) CrossRef
Inagaki, N., Tasaka, S., Horikawa, Y., J. Polym. Sc.: Part A: Polym. Chem. 27, 3495 (1989) CrossRef
Inagaki, N., Tasaka, S., Kurita, T., Polymer Bull. 22, 15 (1989) CrossRef
Z. Ogumi, Y. Uchimoto, K. Yasuda, Z.-I. Takehara, Chem. Lett., 953 (1990)
Ogumi, Z., Uchimoto, Y., Takehara, Z.-I., J. Electrochem. Soc. 137, 3319 (1990) CrossRef
Uchimoto, Y., Yasuda, K., Ogumi, Z., Takehara, Z.-I., Tasaka, A., Imahigashi, T., Ber. Bunsenges. Phys. Chem. 97, 625 (1993) CrossRef
Uchimoto, Y., Endo, E., Yasuda, K., Yamasaki, Y., Takehara, Z.-I., Ogumi, Z., Kitao, O., J. Electrochem. Soc. 147, 111 (2000) CrossRef
Yasuda, K., Uchimoto, Y., Ogumi, Z., Takehara, Z.-I., J. Electrochem. Soc. 141, 2350 (1994) CrossRef
Yasuda, K., Uchimoto, Y., Ogumi, Z., Takehara, Z.-I., Ber. Bunsenges. Phys. Chem. 98, 631 (1994) CrossRef
Mex, L., Müller, J., Membrane Technol. 115, 5 (1999) CrossRef
Mex, L., Ponnat, N., Müller, J., Fuel Cell Bull. 4, 9 (2001) CrossRef
L. Mex, M. Sussiek, J. Müller, Chem. Eng. Com. 9, 190, 1085 (2003)
Roualdes, S., Topala, I., Mahdjoub, H., Rouessac, V., Sistat, P., Durand, J., J. Power Sources 158, 1270 (2006) CrossRef
Mahdjoub, H., Roualdès, S., Sistat, P., Pradeilles, N., Durand, J., Pourcelly, G., Fuel Cells 5, 277 (2005) CrossRef
Haidopoulos, M., Larrieu, J., Horgnies, M., Houssiau, L., Pireaux, J.-J., Surf. Interface Anal. 38, 1266 (2006) CrossRef
Retzko, I., Friedrich, J.F., Lippitz, A., Unger, W.E.S., J. Electron Spectrosc. Related Phenom. 121, 111 (2001) CrossRef
Caillard, A., Brault, P., Mathias, J., Charles, C., Boswell, R.W., Sauvage, T., Surf. Coat. Technol. 200, 391 (2005) CrossRef