Nanocomposite membranes based on sulfonated (1,4-phenylene ether ethersulfone) for fuel cells

Novel nanocomposite membranes based on sulfonated (1,4-phenylene ether ethersulfone) (SPEEs) and iron titanate, BaZrO3, (BZ) were prepared by dispersion of BZ nanoparticles into SPEEs solution. The morphology, mechanical properties, proton conductivity and fuel cell performance of the nanocomposite membranes were investigated. The nanocomposite membrane with 1 wt.% of BZ nanoparticles exhibited the highest proton conductivity of 0.083 S/cm at 80 °C, which is 70 % higher than that of pure SPEEs membrane. The outstanding proton conductivity of the membranes can be ascribed to presence of BZ nanoparticles which can perform as pathways for proton transport.

Keywords:

sulfonated (1 , 4-phenylene ether ethersulfone) (SPEEs) , nanocomposite membrane , proton conductivity