Enhanced performance of Mindel membranes by incorporating conductive polymer and inorganic modifier for application in direct methanol fuel cells

Abstract

Sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPES), polyaniline (PANI), and Cloisite 15 A ® were used as modifiers for the fabrication of Mindel composite polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs). Pristine Mindel and Mindel composite PEMs were fabricated by the solution intercalation technique. The presence of modifiers in the Mindel membrane matrix was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies. The primary characteristics of pristine Mindel and Mindel PEMs such as water uptake, methanol uptake, proton conductivity ion-exchange capacity (IEC), and chemical and mechanical stability were evaluated. The pore size of Mindel/SPES/Cloisite 15 composite PEM was increased owing to the addition of SPES and Cloisite 15. The higher proton conductivity of 4.323 × 10 −4 S cm −1 , enhanced IEC of 0.482 mequiv. g −1 , and maximum water uptake (%) of 38.12 were noted for Mindel/SPES/Cloisite membrane. Membrane selectivity of all Mindel PEMs was enhanced by the addition of modifiers. The results of this study indicate that Mindel composite membranes could be utilized as PEMs for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).

Composite proton exchange membrane of cellulose triacetate polymer integrated with polyacrylic acid and triazole based copolymer for balanced proton conduction and methanol permeability

“…In addition, the formation of pores in the CTA/PTZA membranes was observed, and this could be because of the retention of solvent (DMSO) to induce a pore formation on the membrane surface. A similar pore formation effect was reported by Ramachandran et al 47 . The 10 wt.% of TZA monomer present in the membrane creates more pores, and the heterocyclic nature of TZA induces good solubility.…”

“…According to the literature, the protons travel by two movement mechanisms. The first is protons driven by water solvated groups called the vehicle phenomenon 47,50 . The other is the Grotthus mechanism, where the proton moves within hydrogen bonds via hopping 51 .…”

NaCMC-decorated ZnO nanocomposite polymer membranes for the separation of reactive dyes from textile water

“…5(b), the transmittance peaks at 1012 cm À1 (C-C stretching), 1242 cm À1 (wagging of CH), 1498 cm À1 (symmetrical bending of CH 3 ), and 2950 cm À1 (asymmetric stretching of CH 2 ) were observed in both pristine polysulfone membrane and polysulfone/ZnO-NaCMC membrane. 39 In contrast, the polysulfone/ZnO-NaCMC membrane spectrum exhibited a new spectral peak at 430 cm À1 due to the incorporation of ZnO-NaCMC nanocomposites.…”