High proton conductivity and low fuel crossover polymer electrolyte membranes derived from branched sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)s and silica sulfonic acid nanoparticles

摘要: With the objective of improving water uptake and proton conductivity, silica sulfonic acid (SSA) nanoparticles were successfully prepared via sulfonation (SiO2) with sulfuryl chloride a series branched sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (BSPEEK)-based hybrid membranes varying contents SSA fabricated by solution-casting method as electrolyte materials. The exhibited improved uptake, excellent thermal stability, enhanced mechanical strength. Compared methanol permeability, incorporation particles, conductivity more significantly. selectivity increased increasing contents, highest value was 8.2 × 105 S s cm−3, which 2.6 times higher than that Nafion 117. Therefore, these BSPEEK-SSA could be considered promising materials for direct fuel cell applications.