Proton conducting composite membranes from crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(styrene sulfonic acid)-functionalized silica nanoparticles

Proton conducting membranes based on crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly (styrene sulfonic acid)-functionalized silica particles (PSSA-Si) were reported. Two-step crosslinking process involving sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) and glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agents was conducted to provide add...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of hydrogen energy 2018-06, Vol.43 (24), p.11190-11201
Main Authors: Kamjornsupamitr, Trin, Sangthumchai, Thanakorn, Youngme, Sujittra, Martwiset, Surangkhana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Composites
Conducting polymers
Fuel cell
Membranes
Polyelectrolytes
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Summary:Proton conducting membranes based on crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly (styrene sulfonic acid)-functionalized silica particles (PSSA-Si) were reported. Two-step crosslinking process involving sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) and glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agents was conducted to provide additional proton source and to enhance hydrolytic and mechanical stabilities. PSSA-Si was synthesized from vinyltrimethoxysilane via Stöber method, followed by radical polymerization of sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate on the silica particle. The obtained PSSA-Si was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The effects of PSSA-Si loading (0, 2.5, 5, and 10%) and PSSA content in PSSA-Si (2, 5, 8, and 12%) on membrane properties including surface morphology, water vapor absorption, water uptake, ion exchange capacity, mechanical and oxidative stabilities, and proton conductivity were investigated and discussed. Proton conductivities of these composite membranes were found to increase with PSSA-Si loading and PSSA content. Promising proton conductivities of ∼0.072 S/cm were obtained from PVA-8%PSSA-Si-10 and PVA-12%PSSA-Si-10 membranes, having PSSA-Si loading of 10%, and PSSA contents of 8%, and 12%, respectively. In addition, these membranes showed good hydrolytic and oxidative stabilities with high storage moduli. •Crosslinked PVA and PSSA-Si composite membranes were prepared.•Proton conductivity increased with PSSA-Si loading and PSSA content.•Membranes showed high hydrolytic and oxidative stabilities.•High storage moduli were observed.
ISSN:0360-3199
1879-3487
DOI:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.04.198