Synthesis and properties of sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone sulfone) containing amino groups/functional titania inorganic particles hybrid membranes for fuel cells

In this work, the organic-inorganic hybrid membranes were prepared. The synthesis and properties of the hybrid membranes were investigated. The sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone sulfone) containing amino groups (Am-SPAEKS) was synthesized by nucleophilic polycondensation. The sol-gel method was used to prepared functional titania inorganic particles (L-TiO2). The H-1 NMR and FT-IR were performed to verified the structure of Am-SPAEKS and L-TiO2. The organic-inorganic hybrid membranes showed both good thermal stabilities and mechanical properties than that of Am-SPAEKS. The L-Am-15% membrane exhibited the highest Youngs modulus (2262.71 MPa) and Yield stress (62.09 MPa). The distribution of L-TiO2 particles was revealed by SEM. Compared to Am-SPAEKS, the hybrid membranes showed higher proton conductivities. The L-Am-15% exhibited the highest proton conductivity of 0.0879 S cm(-1) at 90 degrees C. The results indicate that the organic inorganic hybrid membranes have potential for application in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.