TiO₂ nanoparticles synthesis for application in proton exchange membranes

Abstract

In the present paper, suitable TiO2 nanoparticles are successfully synthesized by sol‐gel method, in order to utilize the freshly prepared TiO2 nanoparticles for proton exchange membrane (PEM) preparation. Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) is used as precursor and ethanol as a solvent. The optimum and suitable TiO2 nanoparticles were obtained by varying gelatinisation time (4–120 h), concentration of precursor (TiCl4) in ethanol (2–15 vol%), and reaction temperature (15–35 °C). The morphology, size and purity of the nanoparticles are investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Optimum results were found at 4 h of gelatinisation time, 10% precursor concentration and 25 °C temperature for preparation of TiO2 nanoparticles. Thus prepared nanoparticles are found to be suitable for preparation of nanocomposite PEM, and consequently the prepared PEM indicates enhanced properties, such as, higher thermal stability (high glass transition temperature of 184.1 °C), excellent proton conductivity (0.0822 S cm−1 at room temperature) and low methanol permeability (1.11 × 10−9 cm2 s−1).

IN SITUPREPARED TIO2NANOPARTICLES CROSS-LINKED SULFONATED PVA MEMBRANES WITH HIGH PROTON CONDUCTIVITY FOR DMFC

“…26 Basically, solution of TiCl 4 in ethanol (10 wt%) at 27 °C were taken and TiCl 4 was added drop wise. A light yellow solution was obtained after adding the required TiCl 4 .…”

“…In our previous work, 26 optimum and suitable TiO 2 nanoparticles for addition as inorganic nanofillers were prepared by sol-gel method. To obtain optimum size nanoparticles, the important operating parameters were varied.…”

“…The sizes and morphology of TiO 2 nanoparticles were measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) method and transmission electron microscopy as reported in detail in our previous work. 26 The variation in the average size of nanoparticles obtained is shown in Figure 1. The average size of nanoparticles was basically obtained by variation in gelatinization time (4 -120 h), concentration of precursor (TiCl 4 ) in ethanol (2 -15 volume%), and reaction temperature (15 -35 °C).…”

“…In situ preparation of optimum and suitable size nanoparticles were carried by sol-gel method as reported in our previous work. 26 Furthermore, to optimize sulfonation, separate sulfonating agent and cross-linking agent are used. The 4-formylbenzene-1,3-disulfonic acid disodium salt hydrate (DSDSBA) is used to achieve appropriate degree of sulfonation of PVA and glutaraldehyde (GA) is used separately as cross-linking agent.…”

Effect of Type of Solvent on the Sol-Gel Spin Coated CZTS Thin Films

“…However, agglomeration of nano particles can be observed as well. It is well reported that the uniform surface morphology is essential, as agglomeration may lead to the reduction in grain boundaries [9,[16][17][18]. It leads to increase in the effective diffusion length of minority carrier, which ultimately leads to poor solar cell performance [19].…”