Citation:
Journal of membrane science, 492 (2015), pp. 371–379
ISSN:
0376-7388
DOI:
10.1016/j.memsci.2015.05.031
Sponsor:
This work has been supported by the Projects from the Regional government (Comunidad de Madrid through MATERYENER3CM S2013/MIT 2753) and MINECO (MAT2013 46452 C4 3R)
from Spanish Government.
Novel proton conducting composite membranes based on sulfonated polysulfone (sPSU)/SiO₂ doped with phosphomolybdic acid (PMoA) were synthesized, and their proton conductivity in acid solutions was evaluated. The hybrid membranes were prepared by casting and thNovel proton conducting composite membranes based on sulfonated polysulfone (sPSU)/SiO₂ doped with phosphomolybdic acid (PMoA) were synthesized, and their proton conductivity in acid solutions was evaluated. The hybrid membranes were prepared by casting and the characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the presence of the inorganic charges into the polymer. Thermal properties and proton conductivity were also studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), respectively. The incorporation of the inorganic particles modified the thermal and mechanical properties of the sPSU as well as its proton conductivity. Taking into account that a compromise between these properties is necessary, the hybrid membrane with 2%SiO₂ and 20%PMoA seems to be a promising candidate for its application in proton-exchange membrane in fuel cells (PEMECs) operated at high temperatures.[+][-]