Binder Influence on Polyantimonic Acid-Based Membranes’ Electrical Behavior for Low-Temperature Fuel Cells

The development of innovative proton-conducting materials for low-temperature fuel cells (FCs) is, today, a central topic among the scientific community. Polyantimonic acid (PAA) is characterized by high conductivity and sufficient thermal stability; however, PAA-based solid membrane fabrication wit...

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Main Authors: Sofia Mendes, Pedro Faia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Solids
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6497/6/2/19
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author Sofia Mendes
Pedro Faia
author_facet Sofia Mendes
Pedro Faia
author_sort Sofia Mendes
collection DOAJ
description The development of innovative proton-conducting materials for low-temperature fuel cells (FCs) is, today, a central topic among the scientific community. Polyantimonic acid (PAA) is characterized by high conductivity and sufficient thermal stability; however, PAA-based solid membrane fabrication with high proton conductivity remains challenging. Additionally, PAA cannot be compacted into solid shaped electrolytes without a binder. In a previous work, using a fluoroplastic binder, the authors fabricated and investigated proton conductivity of bulk PAA-based membranes in the temperature range 25–250 °C. In the present research, the authors opted to use another binder, poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA (which already allowed to obtain PAA sensors with higher sensitivity to moisture, low hysteresis, and similar aging than the produced previously with the fluoroplastic binder), for fabricating new solid membranes. The sample’s structure and morphology were studied using diverse experimental techniques (Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, etc.). Electrical Impedance spectroscopy, EIS, was used to assess the electrical response and respective time stability of the membranes; it also allowed the development of an equivalent model circuit to better interpret the samples’ electrical behavior and respective contributions. The samples with 20 wt% PVA content showed improved protonic conductivity and chemical stability up to 100 °C, when compared to previous prepared and reported ones using the fluoroplastic binder.
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spelling doaj-art-87e878a931094dcfb2d1fa76bfddf4cb2025-08-20T03:29:52ZengMDPI AGSolids2673-64972025-04-01621910.3390/solids6020019Binder Influence on Polyantimonic Acid-Based Membranes’ Electrical Behavior for Low-Temperature Fuel CellsSofia Mendes0Pedro Faia1CEMMPRE—Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Coimbra, FCTUC, Polo 2, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-290 Coimbra, PortugalCEMMPRE—Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Coimbra, FCTUC, Polo 2, Pinhal de Marrocos, 3030-290 Coimbra, PortugalThe development of innovative proton-conducting materials for low-temperature fuel cells (FCs) is, today, a central topic among the scientific community. Polyantimonic acid (PAA) is characterized by high conductivity and sufficient thermal stability; however, PAA-based solid membrane fabrication with high proton conductivity remains challenging. Additionally, PAA cannot be compacted into solid shaped electrolytes without a binder. In a previous work, using a fluoroplastic binder, the authors fabricated and investigated proton conductivity of bulk PAA-based membranes in the temperature range 25–250 °C. In the present research, the authors opted to use another binder, poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA (which already allowed to obtain PAA sensors with higher sensitivity to moisture, low hysteresis, and similar aging than the produced previously with the fluoroplastic binder), for fabricating new solid membranes. The sample’s structure and morphology were studied using diverse experimental techniques (Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, etc.). Electrical Impedance spectroscopy, EIS, was used to assess the electrical response and respective time stability of the membranes; it also allowed the development of an equivalent model circuit to better interpret the samples’ electrical behavior and respective contributions. The samples with 20 wt% PVA content showed improved protonic conductivity and chemical stability up to 100 °C, when compared to previous prepared and reported ones using the fluoroplastic binder.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6497/6/2/19polyantimonic acidPVA bindersolid membrane electrolyteselectrical impedance spectroscopy
spellingShingle Sofia Mendes
Pedro Faia
Binder Influence on Polyantimonic Acid-Based Membranes’ Electrical Behavior for Low-Temperature Fuel Cells
Solids
polyantimonic acid
PVA binder
solid membrane electrolytes
electrical impedance spectroscopy
title Binder Influence on Polyantimonic Acid-Based Membranes’ Electrical Behavior for Low-Temperature Fuel Cells
title_full Binder Influence on Polyantimonic Acid-Based Membranes’ Electrical Behavior for Low-Temperature Fuel Cells
title_fullStr Binder Influence on Polyantimonic Acid-Based Membranes’ Electrical Behavior for Low-Temperature Fuel Cells
title_full_unstemmed Binder Influence on Polyantimonic Acid-Based Membranes’ Electrical Behavior for Low-Temperature Fuel Cells
title_short Binder Influence on Polyantimonic Acid-Based Membranes’ Electrical Behavior for Low-Temperature Fuel Cells
title_sort binder influence on polyantimonic acid based membranes electrical behavior for low temperature fuel cells
topic polyantimonic acid
PVA binder
solid membrane electrolytes
electrical impedance spectroscopy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6497/6/2/19
work_keys_str_mv AT sofiamendes binderinfluenceonpolyantimonicacidbasedmembraneselectricalbehaviorforlowtemperaturefuelcells
AT pedrofaia binderinfluenceonpolyantimonicacidbasedmembraneselectricalbehaviorforlowtemperaturefuelcells