Abstract:
The production of fuel cell membranes based on sulfonated polystyrene (sPS) with recurrent smoothly method has been conducted. The membrane-based polistren sulfonated matrix is made of a mixture of 0.5 grams sPSBM, 0.5 PE-g-MAH and 1 gram PSBM, the mixture is compacted by using hotpress with temperatures of 1050 C at a pressure of 20 kgf / cm2. Matrix is dropped with supramolecular solution while heated at a temperature of 800 C and contolled for not being cracked. The membrane that has been spilled solution of supramoleculer is smoothed again. The purpose of refining the material to the membrane is to spread more evenly so as to increase the conductivity of the membrane, and the membrane process of refining and compaction is done repeatedly. At the final stage, the membrane that has been compacted is then thinned by using a press machine, so that the membrane is thinner. The membrane is observed with an optical microscope to observe at the distribution of the material. The test group of membrane function uses Fourier-Transform Infra Red (FTIR). Testing the structure morphology and distribution of material on the membrane uses a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Testing membranes ionic conductivity uses Electrohemical impedance spectroscope (EIS). The result showed that the distribution of membrane material has been uneven, but in SEM it still observes evenly spread the material. In FTIR, it looks the energy absorption at wave numbers between 2800-3100 cm-1 in the form of bonding hydroxyl (OH) derived from sPS and PE-g-MAH of supramolecular solution. Membrane ionic conductivity values are calculated by using the for 9:51 x 10-5 S/m. In the manufacture of membranes for fuel cells spread by of materials is essential in improving the conductivity. By refining and compaction system repeatedly will facilitate to make a membrane a uniform material distribution that will enhance the value of the conductivity of the membrane.
