Doctor Scientiae - DSc / In this study novel composite electrodes were developed, in which the catalytic components were deposited in nanoparticulate form. The efficiency of the nanophase catalysts and membrane electrodes were tested in an important electrocatalytic process, namely hydrogen production by water electrolysis, for renewable energy systems. The activity of electrocatalytic nanostructured electrodes for hydrogen production by water electrolysis were compared with that of more conventional electrodes. Development of the methodology of preparing nanophase materials in a rapid, efficient and simple manner was investigated for potential application at industrial scale. Comparisons with industry standards were performed and electrodes with incorporated nanophases were characterized and evaluated for activity and durability. / South Africa

Tesis por compendio / [EN] Direct methanol fuel cells are feasible devices for efficient electrochemical power generation if some issues can be solved regarding both electrodes and membranes. The research carried out in this Ph.D. thesis has particularly focused on the concerns associated with the membranes. Nafion is the most standard fuel cell membrane material due to its high proton conductivity and exceptional chemical and mechanical stability. However, it suffers from a considerably high methanol permeability and a limited operating temperature (< 80 ºC). The first aspect was addressed with the use of PVA nanofibres and the second one replacing Nafion with SPEEK-based polymers. Composite membranes of Nafion with PVA nanofibres, surface functionalised with sulfonic acid groups, exhibited lower methanol permeabilities due to the intrinsic barrier property of PVA, although proton conductivity was also affected as a result of the non-conducting behaviour of the bulk PVA phase. Remarkably, the nanofibres provided strong mechanical reinforcement which enabled the preparation of low thickness membranes (< 20 micrometres) with reduced ohmic losses, thus counteracting their lower proton conductivities. SPEEK-based membranes were examined for DMFC operation within the intermediate temperature range of 80-140 ºC, in which sluggish electrochemical reactions at the electrodes are accelerated and proton conductivity activated. SPEEK was blended and crosslinked with PVA and PVB polymers for avoiding its dissolution in hot water conditions. SPEEK-PVA compositions showed practical proton conductivities and SPEEK-PVB blends presented very low methanol permeabilities. Nanocomposite membranes composed of SPEEK-30%PVB nanofibres embedded in a SPEEK-35%PVA matrix were prepared and characterised. A nanocomposite membrane crosslinked at 120 ºC revealed promising results for DMFCs operating at intermediate temperatures. Electrospinning is concluded to be a suitable technique for obtaining polymer nanofibre mats intended for advanced composite membranes with improved characteristics and fuel cell performances. / [ES] Las pilas de combustible de metanol directo son dispositivos factibles para la generación electroquímica eficiente de energía eléctrica si se pueden solucionar algunas cuestiones relacionadas tanto con los electrodos como las membranas. La investigación llevada a cabo en esta tesis doctoral se ha centrado particularmente en los problemas asociados con las membranas. Nafion es el material de membrana más común para pilas de combustible debido a su alta conductividad protónica y excepcional estabilidad química y mecánica. Sin embargo, padece una considerablemente alta permeabilidad al metanol y una limitada temperatura de operación (< 80 ºC). El primer aspecto se abordó con el uso de nanofibras de PVA y el segundo reemplazando Nafion con polímeros basados en SPEEK. Membranas compuestas de Nafion con nanofibras de PVA, funcionalizadas en su superficie con grupos ácidos sulfónicos, exhibieron menores permeabilidades al metanol debido a la propiedad barrera intrínseca del PVA, aunque la conductividad protónica también se vio afectada como resultado del comportamiento global no conductor de la fase de PVA. Remarcablemente, las nanofibras proporcionaron un refuerzo mecánico fuerte que permitió la preparación de membranas de bajo espesor (< 20 micrómetros) con unas pérdidas óhmicas reducidas, así contrarrestando sus menores conductividades protónicas. Se examinaron membranas basadas en SPEEK para la operación de pilas de combustible de metanol directo dentro del rango intermedio de temperaturas entre 80-140 ºC, en el que las lentas reacciones electroquímicas en los electrodos se aceleran y la conductividad protónica se activa. El SPEEK se combinó y entrecruzó con los polímeros de PVA y PVB para evitar su disolución en condiciones de agua caliente. Las composiciones de SPEEK-PVA mostraron conductividades protónicas funcionales y las mezclas de SPEEK-PVB presentaron permeabilidades al metanol muy bajas. Se prepararon y caracterizaron membranas nanocompuestas constituidas por nanofibras de SPEEK-30%PVB embebidas en una matriz de SPEEK-35%PVA. Una membrana nanocompuesta entrecruzada a 120 ºC reveló resultados prometedores para pilas de combustible de metanol directo operando a temperaturas intermedias. Se puede concluir que la electrohilatura es una técnica apropiada para la obtención de mallas de nanofibras poliméricas destinadas a membranas compuestas avanzadas con características y rendimientos en pilas de combustible mejorados. / [CA] Les piles de combustible de metanol directe són dispositius factibles per a la generació electroquímica eficient d'energia elèctrica si es poden solucionar algunes qüestions relacionades tant amb els elèctrodes com les membranes. La investigació duta a terme en esta tesi doctoral s'ha centrat particularment en els problemes associats amb les membranes. Nafion és el material de membrana més comú per a piles de combustible a causa de la seua alta conductivitat protònica i excepcional estabilitat química i mecànica. No obstant això, patix una considerablement alta permeabilitat al metanol i una limitada temperatura d'operació (< 80 ºC). El primer aspecte es va abordar amb l'ús de nanofibres de PVA i el segon reemplaçant Nafion amb polímers basats en SPEEK. Membranes compostes de Nafion amb nanofibres de PVA, funcionalizades en la seua superfície amb grups àcids sulfónics, van exhibir menors permeabilitats al metanol a causa de la propietat barrera intrínseca del PVA, encara que la conductivitat protònica també es va veure afectada com resultat del comportament global no conductor de la fase de PVA. Remarcablement, les nanofibres van proporcionar un reforç mecànic fort que va permetre la preparació de membranes de baixa grossària (< 20 micròmetres) amb unes pèrdues òhmiques reduïdes, així contrarestant les seues menors conductivitats protòniques. Es van examinar membranes basades en SPEEK per a l'operació de piles de combustible de metanol directe dins del rang intermedi de temperatures entre 80-140 ºC, en el que les lentes reaccions electroquímiques en els elèctrodes s'acceleren i la conductivitat protònica s'activa. El SPEEK es va combinar i va entrecreuar amb els polímers de PVA i PVB per a evitar la seua dissolució en condicions d'aigua calenta. Les composicions de SPEEK-PVA van mostrar conductivitats protòniques funcionals i les mescles de SPEEK-PVB van presentar permeabilitats al metanol molt baixes. Es van preparar i caracteritzar membranes nanocompostes constituïdes per nanofibres de SPEEK-30%PVB embegudes en una matriu de SPEEK-35%PVA. Una membrana nanocomposta entrecreuada a 120 ºC va revelar resultats prometedors per a piles de combustible de metanol directe operand a temperatures intermèdies. Es pot concloure que l'electrofilatura és una tècnica apropiada per a l'obtenció de malles de nanofibres polimériques destinades a membranes compostes avançades amb característiques i rendiments en piles de combustible millorats. / Mollá Romano, S. (2015). Application of Nanofibres in Polymer Composite Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/58611 / TESIS / Premios Extraordinarios de tesis doctorales / Compendio

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Объектами исследования настоящей работы являются катодные материалы на основе сложного оксида Сa3Co4O9+δ. Цель работы – апробация материалов на основе Сa3Co4O9+δ, которые могут быть использованы в качестве катодов для среднетемпературных твердооксидных топливных элементов с протон-проводящими электролитами BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3- и BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3-. Методом пиролиза цитрат-солевых композиций проведен синтез сложных оксидов Сa3Co4O9+δ, Ca3Co4-xCuxO9 (х = 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2), BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ и BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3-. При помощи комплекса современных методов исследования выполнена фазовая, структурная и микроструктурная аттестация оксидов Сa3Co4O9+δ, Ca3Co4 xCuxO9 (х = 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2), BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ и BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3-. Термогравиметрическим методом исследована термическая устойчивость Сa3Co4O9+δ на воздухе и в атмосфере аргона. Термическое расширение оксидов Сa3Co4O9+δ и BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ изучено методом дилатометрии, доказана их термическая совместимость. Изучена химическая совместимость оксида Сa3Co4O9+δ с электролитными материалами Ba2In1.8W0.2O5.15, 0.7Ba2In2O5·0.3Ba2InNbO6, Ba3Ca1.18Nb1.82O9 δ, BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3 δ, а также материалами коллекторных слоев La0.6Sr0.4MnO3-δ и LaNi0.6Fe0.4О3 δ, установлена оптимальная температура припекания катодного материала Сa3Co4O9+δ к электролиту BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ. Исследованы температурные зависимости электропроводности Сa3Co4O9+δ и BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ на воздухе. Сформированы электроды на основе композитов с различным массовым содержанием Сa3Co4O9+δ и BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ на подложках из BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ, а также электроды на основе Ca3Co4-xCuxO9 (х = 0; 0.05; 0.1; 0.15) на подложках из BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ. Методом импедансной спектроскопии на симметричных ячейках измерены поляризационные характеристики полученных электродов, а также электродов с оксидным коллектором состава La0.6Sr0.4MnO3-δ+2 масс.% CuO. / The object of study in this work is a cathode material based on the Сa3Co4O9+δ. The aim of the work is to study the electrochemical behavior of electrodes based on the Сa3Co4O9+δ with the electrolyte materials BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3- and BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3-. The synthesis of the Сa3Co4O9+δ, Ca3Co4-xCuxO9 (х = 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2), BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ and BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3- complex oxides was carried out by pyrolysis of citrate-salt compositions. Using a complex of modern research methods, phase, structural and microstructural attestation of the Сa3Co4O9+δ, Ca3Co4-xCuxO9 (х = 0.05; 0.1; 0.15; 0.2), BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ and BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3- oxides were carried out. The thermal stability of the Сa3Co4O9+δ in air and in the argon atmosphere was studied by the thermo gravimetrical method. The thermal expansion of the Сa3Co4O9+δ and BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ oxides was studied by dilatometry, and their thermal compatibility was proved. The chemical compatibility of the Сa3Co4O9+δ oxide with the electrolyte materials Ba2In1.8W0.2O5.15, 0.7Ba2In2O5·0.3Ba2InNbO6, Ba3Ca1.18Nb1.82O9 δ, BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ, Lа0.6Sr0.4MnO3-δ and LaNi0.6Fe0.4О3-δ collector materials was studied, the optimal temperature of the cathode material Сa3Co4O9+δ annealing to the BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ electrolyte was established. The temperature dependences of the electrical conductivity of the Сa3Co4O9+δ and BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ in air were investigated. Electrodes based on composites with different mass contents of Сa3Co4O9+δ and BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ on substrates of BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ, as well as electrodes based on Ca3Co4-xCuxO9 (х = 0; 0.05; 0.1; 0.15) on substrates of BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3  were formed. The polarization characteristics of the obtained electrodes, including those with an La0.6Sr0.4MnO3-δ+2 wt.% CuO oxide collector, were studied by the method of impedance spectroscopy on the symmetric cells.

L'objectif général de cette thèse de doctorat est de caractériser les propriétés de membranes PFSA de type Nafion N115 et Nafion NRE212 en termes de sorption d'eau, de propriétés de transport et de propriétés mécaniques, sur une large gamme de conditions expérimentales. Nous avons réalisé de très nombreuses mesures afin de comparer les résultats avec les données de la littérature, souvent dispersées. Des protocoles simples et reproductibles nous ont permis de mesurer les propriétés des membranes et d'étudier l'influence de certains paramètres sur leur variation. Les échantillons ont par exemple été séchés à différentes températures et nous avons étudié l'effet de ce prétraitement thermique sur la capacité de sorption, les propriétés de transport et les propriétés mécaniques. Les membranes Nafion ont également été exposées à une température modérée (60°C - 80°C) et à une humidité relative constante (RH = 0.3 à 0.95) pendant plusieurs semaines, conditions à l'origine d'un phénomène dit de "vieillissement hygrothermique" qui affecte leur capacité de sorption et leur conductivité protonique. De tels effets ont été observés mais ils se sont révélés réversibles et sans conséquences notables en terme de performances une fois les membranes utilisées en pile à combustible. Nos résultats peuvent être utilisés dans des études impliquant le transport et la gestion de l'eau dans les piles à combustible ainsi que leur durabilité, en particulier pour de la simulation numérique ou de la modélisation. Plus fondamentalement, ils peuvent aider à comprendre la thermodynamique de sorption et les phénomènes de transport dans les membranes PFSA / The overall aim of this PhD thesis was to characterize the properties of commercial Nafion N115 and Nafion NRE212 membranes in term of water sorption, transport, and mechanical properties over a wide range of experimental conditions. Because of the high dispersion of the data in the literature, our primary objective was to gather a comprehensive set of experimental measurements and to compare them with published results. Simple and reproducible protocols allowed us to measure the membrane properties over a wide range of experimental conditions and to study the influence of certain parameters on their evolution. For example, the samples were heat-treated at different temperatures and the effect of thermal history on water sorption, transport and mechanical properties was investigated. Nafion membranes were also exposed to moderate temperature (60°C - 80°C) and constant relative humidity (RH = 0.3 to 0.95) for long periods of time, which is known to cause a so-called ?hygrothermal aging? resulting in a decrease in their sorption capacity and proton conductivity. Such effects were observed but they appeared to be reversible and without noticeable consequences in term of fuel cell performance. Our experimental results can be used in studies involving water transport, water management and durability of fuel cells, especially for numerical simulation or modelling. More fundamentally, they can help understanding the thermodynamics of sorption and transport phenomena in PFSA membranes

This work is devoted to studying of electric properties, chemical stability and features of disordering in a crystal structure of the phases La28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x (x=0,85; 1,01; 1,17; 1,33) and Pr28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x (x = 0,92; 1,12; 1,33; 1,55) with cubic structure of defective double fluorite with an incomplete oxygen sublattice. Phases are received by solid-state ceramic technology. Using X-ray difractiion method phase composition is established, structural parameters and presumable phase composition taking into account shift of parameters are determined. Measurements of temperature dependence of conductivity are taken by method of impedance spectroscopy at a variation of temperature, partial pressure of oxygen pO2 and water vapors pH2O. Activation energy calculated of mixed hole, oxygen-ion conductivity and proton conductivity is calculated. Dependences of total ionic transport numbers t (ion) on pO2 for La28-хW4+хO54+1,5х[VO]2-1,5х are calculated from experimental isotherms of conductivity. Ion transport number t (ion) for Pr28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x are measured by the EMF method, the type of the dominating charge carriers is defined. Chemical stability of ceramics La28-хW4+хO54+1,5х[VO]2-1,5х to hydrolytic decomposition and its interactions with acid gases were estimated increasing of grain boundary resistance after the cycle "hydration/dehydration", and also by results of X-ray phase analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and research of surfaces of the samples by of the optical and scanning electronic microscopy methods. Water uptake XH2O and extent of filling of structural vacancies of the phases La28-хW4+хO54+1,5х[VO]2-1,5х are defined by the thermogravimetric analysis the 2-1,5kh and, hydration enthalpies ΔНгидр are calculated. An influence of pO2 and pH2O on loss of weight of Pr28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x samples testifies to susceptibility of the phases to oxidation. / Данная работа посвящена изучению электрических свойств, химической устойчивости и особенностей разупорядочения в кристаллической решетке фаз La28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x (х=0,85; 1,01; 1,17; 1,33) и Pr28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x (х = 0,92; 1,12; 1,33; 1,55), обладающих кубической структурой дефектного двойного флюорита с некомплектной кислородной подрешеткой. Фазы получены твердофазным синтезом по керамической технологии, методом РФА установлен фазовый состав, определены параметры кристаллической решетки и предположительный фазовый состав с учетом сдвига параметров. Проведены измерения температурной зависимости проводимости методом импедансной спектроскопии при вариации температуры, парциального давления кислорода Ро2 и паров воды Рн2о. Рассчитаны энергии активации смешанной дырочно-кислородной проводимости и протонной проводимости. Из экспериментальных изотерм проводимости La28-хW4+хO54+1,5х[VO]2-1,5х рассчитаны зависимости суммарных ионных чисел переноса t(ион) от Ро2. Для Pr28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x t(ион) измерены методом ЭДС, определен тип доминирующих переносчиков заряда. Проведена оценка устойчивости керамики La28-хW4+хO54+1,5х[VO]2-1,5х к гидролизному разложению и взаимодействию с кислотными газами по приросту зернограничного сопротивления после цикла «гидратация/дегидратация», а также по результатам рентгенофазового анализа, термогравиметрического анализа и исследованием поверхностей образцов методами оптической и сканирующей электронной микроскопии. С помощью термогравиметрического анализа определена степень гидратации Хн2о фаз La28-хW4+хO54+1,5х[VO]2-1,5х и степень заполнения структурных вакансий, рассчитаны энтальпии гидратации ΔНгидр. Влияние Ро2 и Рн2о на потерю массы образцами Pr28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x свидетельствует о подверженности фаз окислению.

In this thesis, the focus is on studying BaZrO3-BaCeO3 based proton conductors due to that they represent very promising proton conductors to be used for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (ITSOFCs). Here, dense BaZr0.5Ce0.3Y0.2O3-δ (BZCY532) ceramics were selected as the major studied materials. These ceramics were prepared by different sintering methods and doping strategies. Based on achieved results, the thesis work can simply be divided into the following parts: 1) An improved synthesis method, which included a water-based milling procedure followed by a freeze-drying post-processing, was presented. A lowered calcination and sintering temperature for a Hf0.7Y0.3O2-δ (YSH) compound was achieved. The value of the relative density in this work was higher than previously reported data. It is also concluded that this improved method can be used for mass-production of ceramics. 2) As the solid-state reactive sintering (SSRS) represent a cost-effective sintering method, the sintering behaviors of proton conductors BaZrxCe0.8-xLn0.2O3-δ (x = 0.8, 0.5, 0.1; Ln = Y, Sm, Gd, Dy) during the SSRS process were investigated. According to the obtained results, it was found that the sintering temperature will decrease, when the Ce content increases from 0 (BZCLn802) to 0.3 (BZCLn532) and 0.7 (BZCLn172). Moreover, the radii of the dopant ions similar to the radii of Zr4+ or Ce4+ ions show a better sinterability. This means that it is possible to obtain dense ceramics at a lower temperature. Moreover, the conductivities of dense BZCLn532 ceramics were determined. The conductivity data indicate that dense BZCY532 ceramics are good candidates as either oxygen ion conductors or proton conductors used for ITSOFCs. 3) The effect of NiO on the sintering behaviors, morphologies and conductivities of BZCY532 based electrolytes were systematically investigated. According to the achieved results, it can be concluded that the dense BZCY532B ceramics (NiO was added during ball-milling before a powder mixture calcination) show an enhanced oxygen and proton conductivity. Also, that BZCY532A (NiO was added after a powder mixture calcination) and BZCY532N (No NiO was added in the whole preparation procedures) showed lower values. In addition, dense BZCY532B and BZCY532N ceramics showed only small electronic conductivities, when the testing temperature was lower than 800 ℃. However, the BZCY532A ceramics revealed an obvious electronic conduction, when they were tested in the range of 600 ℃ to 800 ℃. Therefore, it is preferable to add the NiO powder during the BZCY532 powder preparation, which can lower the sintering temperature and also increase the conductivity. 4) Dense BZCY532 ceramics were successfully prepared by using the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) method at a temperature of 1350 ℃ with a holding time of 5 min. It was found that a lower sintering temperature (&lt; 1400 ℃) and a very fast cooling rate (&gt; 200 ℃/min) are two key parameters to prepare dense BZCY532 ceramics. These results confirm that the SPS technique represents a feasible and cost-effective sintering method to prepare dense Ce-containing BaZrO3-BaCeO3 based proton conductors. 5) Finally, a preliminary study for preparation of Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-δ (SDC) and BZCY532 basedcomposite electrolytes was carried out. The novel SDC-BZCY532 based composite electrolytes were prepared by using the powder mixing and co-sintering method. The sintering behaviors, morphologies and ionic conductivities of the composite electrolytes were investigated. The obtained results show that the composite electrolyte with a composition of 60SDC-40BZCY532 has the highest conductivity. In contrast, the composite electrolyte with a composition of 40SDC-60BZCY532 shows the lowest conductivity. In summary, the results show that BaZrO3-BaCeO3 based proton-conducting ceramic materials represent very promising materials for future ITSOFCs electrolyte applications. / <p>QC 20150423</p>

Highly proton conducting polymers for operation in hydrogen/oxygen proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) provide often a poor mechanical strength due to high water contents. To strengthen the conducting polymers, blends with different ratios of partially fluorinated sulfonic acid graft and diblock copolymers with perfluorinated polymers were prepared. To analyze the effect of the different quantities of the compounds, with regard to water sorption and proton conducting properties, membranes were prepared by dissolving the components and drop casting. Partially sulfonated poly([vinylidene difluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene]-g-styrene) (P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-SPS) was blended with polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), decreasing the ion exchange capacity (IEC). The blended polymers absorbed less water. However, the by AC impedance spectroscopy determined proton conductivity stayed stable or increased slightly. The effective proton mobility remained constant. Partially sulfonated poly([vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene]-b-styrene) (P(VDF-co-HFP)-b-SPS) with two different PS-block lengths were blended with different amounts of poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-co-HFP)). In that case, the polymers absorbed less water and the proton conductivity decreased stepwise by adding more than 20 wt% P(VDF-co-HFP). The results indicate that a blending of P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-SPS with PVDF inhibits swelling without having an effect on the proton conductivity, though water sorption and IEC are reduced.

Highly proton conducting polymers for operation in hydrogen/oxygen proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) provide often a poor mechanical strength due to high water contents. To strengthen the conducting polymers, blends with different ratios of partially fluorinated sulfonic acid graft and diblock copolymers with perfluorinated polymers were prepared. To analyze the effect of the different quantities of the compounds, with regard to water sorption and proton conducting properties, membranes were prepared by dissolving the components and drop casting. Partially sulfonated poly([vinylidene difluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene]-g-styrene) (P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-SPS) was blended with polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), decreasing the ion exchange capacity (IEC). The blended polymers absorbed less water. However, the by AC impedance spectroscopy determined proton conductivity stayed stable or increased slightly. The effective proton mobility remained constant. Partially sulfonated poly([vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene]-b-styrene) (P(VDF-co-HFP)-b-SPS) with two different PS-block lengths were blended with different amounts of poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-co-HFP)). In that case, the polymers absorbed less water and the proton conductivity decreased stepwise by adding more than 20 wt% P(VDF-co-HFP). The results indicate that a blending of P(VDF-co-CTFE)-g-SPS with PVDF inhibits swelling without having an effect on the proton conductivity, though water sorption and IEC are reduced.:1 Introduction 2 Literature Review 2.1 Fuel Cells 2.1.1 Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells 2.1.2 Other Types of Fuel Cells 2.2 Proton Conductivity 2.3 Proton Conducting Polymers 2.4 Impedance Spectroscopy 2.5 Polymers 2.6 Blending 2.7 Synthesis 2.7.1 Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization 2.7.2 Emulsion Polymerization 3 Results 3.1 Synthesis 3.1.1 Polyvinylidene Diuoride (PVDF) 3.1.2 Diblock Copolymers P(VDF-co-HFP)-b-SPS and Blends 3.1.3 Graft Copolymer P(VDF-co-HFP)-b-SPS Blends 3.2 Degree of Sulfonation 3.3 Ionomer Content 3.4 Ion Exchange Capacity 3.5 Water Content and Uptake 3.6 Proton Concentration 3.7 Watermolecules per Ionic Group 3.8 Proton Conductivity 3.9 Proton Mobility 4 Discussion & Conclusion 5 Experimental Part 5.1 Synthesis 5.1.1 Synthesis of PVDF 5.1.2 Synthesis of P(VDF-co-HFP)-b-PS 5.1.3 Sulfonation of the Polystyrene Block 5.2 Polymer Characterization 5.3 Membrane Preparation 5.4 Membrane Characterization Bibliography Appendix