Nanostructured POSS Crosslinked Polybenzimidazole with Free Radical Scavenging Function for High-Temperature Proton
Chao Meng1,2, Xiaofeng Hao1,3, Shuanjin Wang1
1The Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province/State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 12, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel high-temperature proton exchange membrane (HT-PEM) using functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane (POSS) to improve fuel cell performance. The new POSS-crosslinked membranes show enhanced oxidative stability and high proton conductivity for advanced energy applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- High-temperature proton exchange membranes (HT-PEMs) are crucial for high-temperature fuel cells but suffer from phosphoric acid leaching and oxidative degradation.
- Poly(4,4'-diphenylether-5,5'-bibenzimidazole) (OPBI) is a promising matrix material, but its performance needs improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel HT-PEM with enhanced oxidative stability and proton conductivity.
- To investigate the effect of incorporating functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsequioxane (POSS) into an OPBI matrix.
- To improve the long-term performance and durability of HT-PEMs for fuel cell applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of functionalized POSS crosslinkers (OE-POSS and POSS-S-E) via reactions involving sulfhydryl groups and allyl glycidyl ether.
- Fabrication of crosslinked OPBI membranes (OPBI-OE-POSS and OPBI-POSS-S-E) using epoxy-amine coupling.
- Evaluation of oxidative stability using Fenton's reagent and measurement of proton conductivity at elevated temperatures.
Main Results:
- The OPBI-POSS-S-E membranes exhibited superior oxidative stability, retaining 79.4% of their weight after 108 hours in Fenton's reagent at 80 °C.
- The POSS-S-E crosslinker, with retained sulfhydryl groups, provided free radical scavenging, enhancing membrane durability.
- The PA-doped OPBI-POSS-S-E-20% membrane achieved a proton conductivity of 50.8 mS cm-1 at 160 °C.
- The membrane electrode assembly demonstrated a peak power density of 724 mW cm-2.
Conclusions:
- Functionalized POSS serves as an effective nano-modifier for enhancing HT-PEM performance.
- The developed OPBI-POSS-S-E membranes offer a promising solution for durable and efficient high-temperature fuel cells.
- The incorporation of POSS significantly improves both the oxidative stability and proton conductivity of OPBI-based HT-PEMs.
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