Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
637654 | Journal of Membrane Science | 2008 | 10 Pages |
Abstract
Novel nanocomposite membranes were prepared with sulfonated polyoxadiazole and different amounts of sulfonated dense and mesoporous (MCM-41) silica particles. It has been shown that particle size and functionality of sulfonated silica particles play an important role when they are used as fillers for the development of polymer electrolyte nanocomposite membrane for fuel cells. No significant particle agglomerates were observed in all nanocomposite membranes prepared with sulfonated dense silica particles, as analyzed by SEM, AFM, TGA, DMTA and tensile tests. The Tg values of the composite membranes increased with addition of sulfonated silica, indicating an interaction between the sulfonic acid groups of the silica and the polyoxadiazole. Constrained polymer chains in the vicinity of the inorganic particles were confirmed by the reduction of the relative peak height of tan δ. A proton conductivity of 0.034 S cmâ1 at 120 °C and 25% RH, which is around two-fold higher than the value of the pristine polymer membrane was obtained.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Filtration and Separation
Authors
Dominique Gomes, Roland Marschall, Suzana P. Nunes, Michael Wark,