Universität Stuttgart

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://elib.uni-stuttgart.de/handle/11682/1

Browse

Publication Type: search.filters.UBSTyp.DissertationInstitute: search.filters.UBSInstitut.Institut für Grenzflächenverfahrenstechnik und PlasmatechnologieInstitute: search.filters.UBSInstitut.Fakultätsübergreifend / Sonstige EinrichtungInstitute: search.filters.UBSInstitut.Institut für Chemische Verfahrenstechnik

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Proton-conducting membranes for the artificial leaf
    (2023) Bosson, Karell; Tovar, Günter E. M. (Prof.)
    With the aim of producing proton conducting membranes with improved proton conductivity and mechanical properties, the poly(pentafluorostyrene)-b-(butyl acrylate) (PPFS-b-PBuA) system was investigated. The study mainly focuses on the influence of the forming polymer nanostructures on the conductivity properties of the membranes. A series of well-defined PPFS-b-PBuA block copolymers (BCPs) were synthesized via nitroxide-mediated controlled radical polymerization (NMP). Spontaneous self-assembly of the BCP element was induced via a targeted change in polymer composition. Moreover, by adjusting the molar composition via enrichment of one of the blocks after synthesis, controlled self-assembly of the BCPs was realized. This was done by combining the corresponding homopolymer with the block copolymer to form a polymer blend - one of the blocks mixed to the BCP. Forming such polymer blends expanded the range of available techniques for tailoring the morphology for desired applications. Sulfonation of BCPs for the preparation of proton-conducting membranes was carried out by a para-fluoro thiol "click" reaction using sodium 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate (SMPS). The accessibility of fluorine in the para position of the phenylene group of PPFS provides countless opportunities for polymer functionalization by nucleophilic substitution. After modification of BCP, the self-assembly ability was retained, and higher conductivities were obtained compared to random copolymers. In addition, complementary studies were conducted on the use of printing techniques for membrane upscaling and evaluation of their life cycle.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Proton-conducting (blend) membranes based on sulfonated/phosphonated and basic polymers
    (2024) De Azpiazu Nadal, Ignasi; Tovar, Günter (Prof.)
    Aiming at new proton-conducting membranes, this thesis deals with the syntheses and characterizations of highly sulfonated poly(arylene sulfides) and other polysulfides for application as polymer electrolytes. The study focuses mainly on the analysis of the polymer structures that would improve the conductivity of current proton conducting membranes while maintaining their mechanical stability. In a first step, several polymers are obtained from which poly(arylene sulfide)s polymers look more promising for further functionalization. They are obtained by using mild reaction conditions of a polycondensation reaction between 4,4 ́-thiobisbenzenethiol (TBBT) and decafluorobiphenyl. Optimization of this reaction allows for the obtainment of higher molecular weights than the ones reported in the literature. In a second step, poly(arylene sulfides) were phosphonated and sulfonated by a nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) displacement reaction of the fluorine atoms of the fluorinated polymer sub-units using different agents. Highly sulfonated polymers were obtained when using sodium 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate and resulted in water soluble ionomers. Kinetic studies of this reaction were performed and several new sulfonated poly(arylene sulfides) were obtained. Finally, stable polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) with enhanced mechanical and chemical stability were obtained by blending these obtained ionomers with polybenzimidazole (PBIOO). These membranes were further characterized and in the best case a PEM with new sulfonated ionomer showed a conductivity 40 % higher than Nafion 212, used as a golden reference material. The best performing PEM’s obtained were further used in an electrolytic cell being part of eSCALED, a H2020 (MSC-ITN-2017. GA# 765376) European project which aim is to obtain a device that does the artificial photosynthesis in a more efficient way than the current devices.