New inorganic–organic proton conducting membranes based on Nafion® and [(ZrO2)·(SiO2)0.67] nanoparticles: Synthesis vibrational studies and conductivity

New nanocomposite proton conducting membranes based on a core–shell nanofiller for low relative humidity fuel cells

“…4 inset a, is associated with the degradation of -SO 3 H groups and is in agreement with previous studies. [28][29][30]35 The filler has a slight stabilizing effect on the -SO 3 H groups in the composite membranes as compared to pristine Nafion. The weight loss observed between 300 and 380 uC (Fig.…”

“…4 inset b) is associated with the thermal degradation of the polyether side chains. 23,24,[28][29][30]35 In contrast to the filler's stabilizing effect on the -SO 3 H groups, ZrTa tends to decrease the thermal stability of the polyether side groups likely due to the catalytic effect of the transition metal oxides. 30 The fourth mass elimination, detected between 400-500 uC range, is due to the decomposition of the fluorocarbon chains of the polymer matrix.…”

“…30 The fourth mass elimination, detected between 400-500 uC range, is due to the decomposition of the fluorocarbon chains of the polymer matrix. [22][23][24][28][29][30]35 The thermal stability of the PTFE chains in the presence of ZrTa is higher than in pristine Nafion. Above 600 uC, the mass residue is related to the amount of the inorganic moiety present in bulk membranes.…”

Perfluorinated Sulfonic Acids as Proton Conductor Membranes

“…A series of Nafion composite membranes containing binary oxides (M x O y , with M ¼ Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ta, and W) were also recently prepared by casting of mixtures of the polymer solution with the oxide nanopowders [50][51][52]. Nafion-MO 2 membranes (with M ¼ Si, Ti, Zr) displayed a larger water uptake than Nafion in the range of 90-120 C at a given RH value [48] according to the sequence ZrO 2 > TiO 2 > SiO 2 .…”

“…It was also found that the amount of each type of water domain depends on the acidity of the M x O y oxoclusters and that the mechanical, thermal, and dynamic characteristics of the host polymer depend on the physical cross-links. Finally, composite Nafion membranes containing ZrO 2 nanoparticles covered with a layer of SiO 2 were also investigated [52].…”