Synthesis and characterization of novel hybrid polysulfone/silica membranes doped with phosphomolybdic acid for fuel cell applications

Abstract

Novel proton conducting composite membranes based on sulfonated polysulfone (sPSU)/SiO 2 doped with phosphomolybdic acid (PMoA) were synthesized, and their proton conductivity in acid solutions was evaluated. The hybrid membranes were prepared by casting and the characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the presence of the inorganic charges into the polymer. Thermal properties and proton conductivity were also studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and electrochemical impedance spectro scopy (EIS), respectively. The incorporation of the inorganic particles modified the thermal and mechanical properties of the sPSU as well as its proton conductivity. Taking into account that a compromise between these properties is necessary, the hybrid membrane with 2%SiO 2 and 20%PMoA seems to be a promising candidate for its application in proton exchange membrane in fuel cells (PEMFCs) operated at high temperatures.

A phosphotungstic acid coupled silica-Nafion composite membrane with significantly enhanced ion selectivity for vanadium redox flow battery

“…The protons present in POMs can combine with water to form hydrogen bonds and exist in the form of H 3 O + or H 5 O 2 + , making it a promising material that can be used for incorporation into Nafion membrane to achieve high proton conductivity [28,29] . The Nafion/POM composite membrane can improve the proton conductivity, but the leakage of POM from the membrane owing to its enormous water solubility is still an urgent problem to be solved [30,31] . In general, the immobilization of POM on an inorganic support such as SN is considered to be a simple and effective route, but the anchoring effect relying on the hydrogen bond between hydroxyl groups on the surface of the oxide and POM is often not very satisfactory [30,32,33] .…”

“…The Nafion/POM composite membrane can improve the proton conductivity, but the leakage of POM from the membrane owing to its enormous water solubility is still an urgent problem to be solved [30,31] . In general, the immobilization of POM on an inorganic support such as SN is considered to be a simple and effective route, but the anchoring effect relying on the hydrogen bond between hydroxyl groups on the surface of the oxide and POM is often not very satisfactory [30,32,33] . In view of this, the utilization of a suitable linker to electrostatically couple POM with SN may be a prospective approach.…”

Ultra‐High Ion Selectivity of a Modified Nafion Composite Membrane for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery by Incorporation of Phosphotungstic Acid Coupled UiO‐66‐NH2

“…The protons present in POMs can combine with water to form hydrogen bonds and exist in the form of H 3 O + or H 5 O 2 + , making it a promising material that can be used to construct high proton conductive membranes . The Nafion/POM composite membrane can speed up proton conductive rates, but the leakage of POM from the membrane owing to its enormous water solubility is still an urgent problem to be solved . In view of this, combining POM and MOFs through rational design can prevent POM leakage and give full play to their advantages.…”

“…[17] The Nafion/POM composite membrane can speed up proton conductive rates, but the leakage of POM from the membrane owing to its enormous water solubility is still an urgent problem to be solved. [18] In view of this, combining POM and MOFs through rational design can prevent POM leakage and give full play to their advantages.…”

Hydrogen‐bonding assembly of heteropolyacid and poly(vinyl alcohol) for strong, flexible, and transparent UV‐protective films

“…As a kind of typical heteropolyacid, silicomolybdic acid (SiMoA) has good water solubility and UV‐absorbing properties and extensive applications . On the other hand, SiMoA possesses rich oxygen‐containing groups [Scheme (a)], facilitating the formation of hydrogen bonding between SiMoA and PVA [Scheme (b)] and thus the effective dispersion of SiMoA in PVA matrix.…”