Organo-montmorillonites and sulfonated PEEK nanocomposite membranes for fuel cell applications

Montmorillonite (MMT) was modified with 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), dimethyl dioctadecylammonium chloride (DMDOC) and sulfanilic acid (SA). The organo-montmorillonites were used in the preparation of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) based composite membranes for fuel cell applications. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed the improvement of the thermal resistance as compared to pristine membrane. The addition of DMDO-MMT increased in the proton conductivity of the composite membrane.

Research highlights
► Three kinds of organo-montmorillonites were prepared by using different organic modifiers.
► Composite polymer membranes were prepared by compounding SPEEK membranes with organo-montmorillonites.
► The composite membranes absorbed more water than the pristine SPEEK membranes and also exhibited high ion exchange values.