Preparation of new alternative transfer sites by combining MIL-۵۳(Fe)-(COOH)۲ in sulfonated polystyrene/polyethylene membrane

In this study, we prepared a novel proton exchanger membrane based on sulfonated polystyrene modification with MIL-۵۳(Fe)-(COOH)۲ for application in direct methanol fuel cell. In these membranes, different amount of MIL-۵۳(Fe)-(COOH)۲ were used to prepare the membranes. The membrane is characterized by FT-IR, SEM and TGA. Water uptake, proton conductivity, oxidative resistance, ionic conductivity and methanol permeability are measured to evaluate its performance in a direct methanol fuel cell with cation exchanger membrane. The SPS-PE-MIL-۵۳ (۱:۱:۰.۲۵ w:w:w) membrane showed relatively better performance than the other membranesThe prepared membranes were used in a fuel cell to evaluate the performance. All membranes prepared, in the fuel cell performed well, but the SPS-PE-MIL-۵۳ (۱:۱:۰.۲۵ w:w:w) membrane performed better than other membranes. The DMFC based on SPS-PE-MIL-۵۳ (۱:۱:۰.۲۵ w:w:w) membrane has a maximum peak power density of ۲۲.۴۹ mWcm-۲ with maximum current density of ۱۳۸.۴۶ mAcm-۲. In general, the prepared membranes performed well than similar membranes.