Novel Carboxylated Poly (glycidyl methacrylate) Grafted Cellophane for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Applications

Carboxylated poly (glycidyl methacrylate) grafted cellophane for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell have been prepared through two steps. The first step was introducing of epoxy groups to its chemical structure through grafting process with PGMA. The second step was converting the introduced epoxy groups to carboxylic group through a reaction with iminodiacetic acid. Grafting and carboxylation processes were verified. Essential characters required for polyelectrolyte fuel cell membrane especially ionic conductivity, methanol permeability, IEC, thermal stability and high mechanical properties were investigated. The thickness of grafted membranes was increased with grafting degree. The IEC increase when the grafted membrane reacted with iminodiacetic acid. The methanol permeability of Carboxylated PGMA grafted cellophane which consider as essential character for PEM fuel cell application was found lower than of Nafion. The obtained results are very promising and opening new area for conducting further investigations considering the very low price of cellophane compared to Nafion.