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This research work describes the fabrication of polymer blend nanocomposite membranes using the solution casting method. These membranes were fabricated with Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride) (PVdF) as host, Poly (Ethylene Glycol) (PEG) in steps of 2[Formula: see text]wt.% as blending polymer and Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay particles in steps of 3[Formula: see text]wt.% which were used as received. The protonated MMT was synthesized through an ion exchange process with column chromatographic technique. The prepared membrane’s performance was investigated using different characterization techniques of Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), water uptake, IEC and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Thermal stability was decreased while adding PEG into PVDF but it is controlled with the addition of MMT on PVDF/PEG blend matrix. Moreover, It is noticed that, the increase of water uptake, IEC by the increasing additive concentration of PEG and MMT. XRD studies reveal the increased amorphous phase with uniform exfoliation of nanoclay particles. The highest proton conductivity value of 0.127[Formula: see text]S cm[Formula: see text] is obtained with 9[Formula: see text]wt.% of MMT in the PVdF/PEG/MMT composite membranes at room temperature with 100% Relative Humid (RH) condition and 10 V.% of sulfonation. The blended nanocomposite membranes fulfill the requirements of proton exchange membrane for fuel cell application.

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Proton exchange membranes have been synthesized from polyimide (PI) doped with different contents of montmorillonite (MMT) which was obtained by solution casting technique. The enhancement of conductivity was achieved through modification with the MMT. Prepared membranes were systematically characterized in terms of ion exchange capacity, water uptake, methanol uptake, swelling behavior and proton conductivity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements were used to confirm the structures of the PI/MMT composite electrolyte membranes. SEM surface morphological images of the composite membranes showed that the MMT nanoclay particles were dispersed uniformly within the membrane what was also reflected in XRD results which indicated a good compatibility of MMT particles with the polymer complex. The TGA spectra showed that the thermal stability of the membrane was reduced by adding MMT into the polymer network. The prepared membrane with 10 wt.% of modified MMT exhibited the highest proton conductivity value of 7.06 × 10-2 S·cm-1 at 70 °C. These results imply the potential application of the PI/MMT composite membranes as improved PEMs for DMFC applications.

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