Thermal Analysis and Ion Exchange Capacity of Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)-Based Membranes Modified with 2-Nitroso-1-Naphthol-4-Sulfonic Acid for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Applications

Fuel cell technologies based on polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) have received wide attentions in recent years [1-2]. In this study, we attempted to fabricate the novelpoly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membranes comprising 2-Nitroso-1-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid those crosslinked by glutaraldehyde (GLA) with solutions casting method (Scheme.1).These membranes were assessed using thermal analysis (TGA), ion exchange capacity (IEC), and water uptake. It was demonstrated that ion exchange capacity and water uptake increased by increasing the acidic group content of the hybrid membranes. TGA results were confirmed that the thermal stability of the membranes improved as the acidity enhanced.