Transport properties of composite membranes containing silicon dioxide and Nafion®

摘要: Abstract Silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) nanoparticles were incorporated into Nafion 115 membranes using the sol–gel method in order to investigate their effect on water retention/transport, proton concentration, effective mobility, and conductivity. By adjusting reaction time, Nafion/SiO fabricated with SiO content ranging from 5.9 33.3 wt%. Because density of decreased increasing because dimensional changes swelling composite less than that unmodified despite having increased content, theory rigid scaffolding is formed inside membrane supported. Water increases due void space membrane. This increase dilutes protons leading lower concentration therefore A decreasing mobility likely an tortuosity proton-conducting pathway, also contributes However, as evidenced by similar vapour permeance values, do not transmission pathways.