Preparation and characterization of sulfated zirconia (SO42−/ZrO2)/Nafion composite membranes for PEMFC operation at high temperature/low humidity

Triglyceride cracking for biofuel production using a directly synthesised sulphated zirconia catalyst

“…This could be due to the method of treatment of both catalysts, for instance CMSZ was preheated at 100°C for 24 h and calcined at 650°C whereas DSSZ was left to age at room temperature and calcined at 600°C. Observed also is the bands between 1250 and 950 cm À1 for both catalysts; typical of sulphate ions groups coordinated to the zirconium cation as reported by Sun et al (2005) and Zhai et al (2006). This suggests that the sulphate species in both samples are similar irrespective of the sulphating agent.…”

Nafion and modified-Nafion membranes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells: An overview

“…The water uptake and proton conduction properties of the composite membrane depend on size and structure of the materials embedded with them. Sulfatepromoted super-acid zirconia (S-ZrO 2 ) has been reported as an active ceramic filler with Nafion membrane to increase the water uptake property of the membrane and provide additional acidic sites for proton diffusion (Hogarth et al 2005;Thampan et al 2005;Zhai et al 2006;Navarra et al 2007). Zirconium phosphate as hydrophilic and proton conducting material has been incorporated into various polymer matrices (Bauer and Porada 2005;Hill et al 2006;Jiang et al 2006a;Boutry et al 2007).…”

Organic/Inorganic Nanocomposite Membranes Development for Low Temperature Fuel Cell Applications

“…At 110°C and above, the proton conductivity of S-ZrO 2 / Nafion ® 115 membrane is more than one-half that of the Nafion ® 115 membrane. Fine particle superacidic sulfated zirconia (S-ZrO 2 ) was synthesized by ameliorated method, and composite membranes with different S-ZrO 2 contents were prepared by a recasting procedure from a suspension of S-ZrO 2 powder and Nafion ® solution (Zhai et al, 2006). The results showed that the IEC (Ion Exchange Capacity) of composite membrane increased with the content of S-ZrO 2 and SZrO 2 was found to be compatible with the Nafion ® matrix.…”