New proton conducting nanocomposite membranes based on poly vinyl alcohol/poly vinyl pyrrolidone/BaZrO3 for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

• BaZrO3 nanoparticles were used for improving the proton conductivity of PVA.
• The high proton conductivity (6 mS/cm at 70 °C) was observed for PVA membrane.
• The nanocomposite membrane was tested in a fuel cell.
• The membrane showed 29 mW/cm2 and 201 mA/cm2 in 0.14 V at 70 °C.
• The nanocomposite membrane could be used as PEM for application in PEMFC.

In this study for the first time, BaZrO3 nanoparticles as mixed metal oxides, with provision of strong acid sites and good hydrophilic nature were used for the preparation of organic–inorganic proton exchange membranes. Poly(vinyl alcohol)–BaZrO3 (PB) and poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)–BaZrO3 (PPB) nanocomposite membranes have been prepared. PPB nanocomposite membranes containing 1 wt.% of BaZrO3 nanoparticles demonstrated high proton conductivity (6.01 × 10− 2 S/cm) at 70 °C. The highest peak power density of 28.98 mW/cm2 at Ep,max of 0.14 V with a peak current density (ip,max) of 201 mA/cm2 was achieved for the PEMFC which included PPB nanocomposite membranes at 70 °C.