Enhancing the Anhydrous Proton Conductivity of Sulfonated Polysulfone/Polyvinyl Phosphonic Acid Composite Membranes With Hexagonal Boron Nitride

Abstract

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) particles have attracted increasing interest due to mechanical properties, chemical stability, electrical features, thermal stability, and good lubrication property. In this work hexagonal boron nitride were used as inorganic fillers, which increase the mechanical and thermal stabilities of the membrane. The proton conducting polymer membranes were prepared by blending of sulfonated polysulfone, polyvinyl phosphonic acid, and boron nitride. Scanning electron microscopy indicated the homogeneous distribution of hBN nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. hBN increased the proton conductivity and in the anhydrous state the maximum proton conductivity was determined as 7.9 × 10−3 S/cm at 150°C for PVPA-SPSU-5hBN.