MESSAI.iO

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Researchers developed a new type of proton-exchange membrane for fuel-cell applications by incorporating nanoparticle-reinforced chitosan. The resulting nanocomposite membranes showed improved thermal stability and mechanical properties. The proton conductivity of the composite membrane was comparable to that of commercially available Nafion 117.

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What they did

System
MEC

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Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, we incorporated commercially available p ‐toluene sulfonic acid coated boehmite nanofillers (commercially known as OS 1 ) into the chitosan (CS) matrix to fabricate CS–OS 1 nanocomposite membranes with a high proton conductivity for fuel‐cell applications. These nanocomposite membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Their mechanical properties, water uptake, ion‐exchange capacity, and proton conductivity were also determined. The results show that the incorporation of OS 1 to CS chains can inhibit the mobility of CS chains and, hence, enhance the thermal stability and mechanical properties of CS–OS 1 nanocomposite membranes. The composite membrane with 5 wt % OS 1 showed a proton conductivity of 0.032 S/cm; this was almost equal to that of commercially available Nafion 117. We concluded that CS–OS 1 nanocomposite membranes have potential for fuel‐cell applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136 , 46904.

Key findings

  • The incorporation of OS1 into CS chains inhibited the mobility of CS chains, enhancing thermal stability and mechanical properties.
  • The composite membrane with 5 wt % OS1 showed a proton conductivity of 0.032 S/cm, comparable to Nafion 117.
  • The addition of OS1 to CS chains improved the mechanical properties and water uptake of the nanocomposite membranes.

Keywords

Thermogravimetric analysisMembraneNanocompositeFourier transform infrared spectroscopyThermal stabilityProton exchange membrane fuel cell

Identifiers

DOI
10.1002/app.46904
Journal
Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Year
2018