Unprecedented sulphonated poly(ether ether ketone)–bismuth cobalt zinc oxide composites: physicochemical and electrochemical performance in fuel cell

Abstract

Advanced polymer composite membranes were prepared from a linear sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) with bismuth cobalt zinc oxide [BCZO, (Bi2O3)0.07(CoO)0.03(ZnO)0.90] nanopowder as an inorganic additive for the application of H2-O2 fuel cell. Morphology data tend to provide evidences for the incorporation of BCZO into SPEEK polymer. Indeed, composite membrane loaded with 7.5 wt.% of BCZO was identi ed to uptake maximum water, while the pristine SPEEK membrane occurred to retain only 24.0 %. As such SPEEK matrix loaded with 7.5 wt.% of BCZO was found to exhibit the maximum proton conductivity of 0.030 S cm-1, whereas the pristine membrane was restricted to 0.021 S cm-1. Evidently, TGA pro le of the composite membrane was measured to exhibit su cient thermal stability to employ as electrolyte in fuel cell. The membrane electrode assembly of pristine SPEEK and SP-BCZO-7.5 wt.% membranes were fabricated and studied for their electrochemical performance. Indeed, the characteristics of newly developed composite membranes led to possess incredible feature towards fuel cell applications.

Trimetal-based nanomaterials induced toxicity to plants: Does it differ from the toxicity of mixed and single-element nanoparticles?

“…Studying their toxicity in terrestrial environments is relevant because it mirrors potential exposure pathways. The bismuth cobalt zinc oxide [BiCoZnO; (Bi 2 O 3 ) 0·07 (CoO) 0·03 (ZnO) 0.90 ] nanomaterial has been used as an inorganic additive for application in H 2 –O 2 fuel cells [ 10 ] and it has a chemical composition consisting of ZnO NPs, Co 3 O 4 NPs and Bi 2 O 3 NPs. It is essential to raise the question if advanced materials like trimetal-based nanomaterials exhibit toxicity different from their main component (ZnO NPs) or to the joint effects as manifested due to exposure to MCNPs (90 % ZnO NPs, 7 % Bi 2 O 3 NPs and 3 % Co 3 O 4 NPs).…”

Precise modification of poly(aryl ether ketone sulfone) proton exchange membranes with positively charged bismuth oxide clusters for high proton conduction performance

“…10a In 2020, Sigwadi successfully fabricated Nafion R membrane blended with polyacrylonitrile nanofibers decorated with ZrO 2 and its proton conductivity could achieve 1.84 S⋅cm −1 at 25 • C. 10b Furthermore, ionic inorganic fillers can regular the hydrophilic channels and retain water in the SPAEKS matrix, facilitating the conduction of protons. [11][12][13][14] In order to take further advantages of additives, enhancing the proton conduction capacity in low DS SPAEKS, a substitute for the sulfonic group is urgently needed. In this way, this strong proton conduction additive can compen-sate for the loss of proton conduction due to the reduction of sulfonic group; moreover, it can have interactions with the organic part, promoting microphase separation, synergistically increasing the proton conductivity of the whole hybrid system.…”