Effect of Modified Nanoclay Composite on Blended PVDF/PEG Electrolyte Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications

Abstract

This research work describes the fabrication of polymer blend nanocomposite membranes using the solution casting method. These membranes were fabricated with Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride) (PVdF) as host, Poly (Ethylene Glycol) (PEG) in steps of 2[Formula: see text]wt.% as blending polymer and Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay particles in steps of 3[Formula: see text]wt.% which were used as received. The protonated MMT was synthesized through an ion exchange process with column chromatographic technique. The prepared membrane’s performance was investigated using different characterization techniques of Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), water uptake, IEC and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Thermal stability was decreased while adding PEG into PVDF but it is controlled with the addition of MMT on PVDF/PEG blend matrix. Moreover, It is noticed that, the increase of water uptake, IEC by the increasing additive concentration of PEG and MMT. XRD studies reveal the increased amorphous phase with uniform exfoliation of nanoclay particles. The highest proton conductivity value of 0.127[Formula: see text]S cm[Formula: see text] is obtained with 9[Formula: see text]wt.% of MMT in the PVdF/PEG/MMT composite membranes at room temperature with 100% Relative Humid (RH) condition and 10 V.% of sulfonation. The blended nanocomposite membranes fulfill the requirements of proton exchange membrane for fuel cell application.

Facile purification of palygorskite and its effect on the performance of reverse osmosis thin film nanocomposite membrane

“…Palani et al revealed that the introduction wileyonlinelibrary.com/jctb of montmorillonite in the polymer mixture could improve the water uptake of membranes. 34 Acid purification of clay increases the surface area of the clay particles which allows it to uptake more quantity of water . 65 The amount of organic content of the clay also influences its water retention capacity as a result of the affinity of organic matter for water.…”

“…Palani et al disclosed that the introduction of montmorillonite into the matrix of polymer of proton exchange membrane for fuel cell application could improve the water uptake of the membrane. 34 Palygorskite is a naturally abundant needle-like silicate clay material with large surface area and various hydrophilic surface groups. It has tubular structure of cross-sectional area of 0.37 × 0.63 nm 2 to promote the water molecules movement.…”