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New Nanocomposite Hybrid Inorganic–Organic Proton‐Conducting Membranes Based on Functionalized Silica and PTFE
Author(s) -
Di Noto Vito,
Piga Matteo,
Giffin Guinevere A.,
Negro Enrico,
Furlan Claudio,
Vezzù Keti
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201200118
Subject(s) - membrane , nanocomposite , materials science , chemical engineering , nanoparticle , nafion , polymer , thermal stability , polymer chemistry , conductivity , composite material , nanotechnology , chemistry , electrochemistry , electrode , biochemistry , engineering
Two types of new nanocomposite proton‐exchange membranes, consisting of functionalized and pristine nanoparticles of silica and silicone rubber (SR) embedded in a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) matrix, were prepared. The membrane precursor was obtained from a mechanical rolling process, and the SiO 2 nanoparticles were functionalized by soaking the membranes in a solution of 2‐(4‐chlorosulfonylphenyl)ethyl trichlorosilane (CSPhEtCS). The membranes exhibit a highly compact morphology and a lack of fibrous PTFE. At 125 °C, the membrane containing the functionalized nanoparticles has an elastic modulus (2.2 MPa) that is higher than that of pristine Nafion (1.28 MPa) and a conductivity of 3.6×10 −3 S cm −1 despite a low proton‐exchange capacity (0.11 meq g −1 ). The good thermal and mechanical stability and conductivity at T >100 °C make these membranes a promising low‐cost material for application in proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells operating at temperatures higher than 100 °C.