Sintesis dan Karakterisasi Membran Penukar Proton Polistirena Tersulfonasi sebagai Bahan Perangkat Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Abstract

Sulfonated polystyrene can be used as proton exchange membrane (PEM). Characterization and performance of PEM has been performed on sulfonated polystyrene (PSS) using fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, scanning electrone microscope, and degree of sulfonation (DS) parameter. The success of the process indicated by the DS of the membrane PSS 3%, 5%, and 10% were 35.09%; 42,26%; and 48.15%, respectively. The infrared spectrum shows that sulfonation has been succesful in 10% PSS membranes as indicated by the presence of sulfonate groups (-SO3) at wavenumber 1029.39 and 1178.03 cm-1. PSS membrane surface morphology is categorized non-porouse. Methanol permeability with qualitative test showed that the membrane PSS 3%, 5%, and 10% have no infiltration. The results of measurements of the conductivity (σ) obtained by PS, PSS 3%, PSS 5%, and PSS 10% were (0.0114; 1.5511; 3.0919; and 3.8949) × 10-6 S/cm, respectively. So that the membrane PSS 3%, 5%, and 10% can be used as a device in direct methanol fuel cell.