Preparation and Characterization of LCT/SPEEK Composite Membrane for PEMFC Application

Abstract

AbstractA novel SPEEK‐based blends proton exchange membrane doping liquid crystal polymer intercalated montmorillonite (LCT) were prepared by solution casting technology. FT‐IR, XRD and POM proved that SPEEK contained sulfonic acid group and LCT which had liquid crystal intercalated into SPEEK matrix. LCT/SPEEK composite membrane with 1.0 wt% had higher swelling rate and proton conductivity than those membranes. It was also shown that the proton conductivity of LCT/SPEEK composite membrane decreased, but reached 0.137 S/cm when LCT was 1.0 wt%, and the swelling rate of SPEEK membrane was significantly decreased 6.19 % to 3.38 %. The layer silicate structure in LCT promotes its dimensional stability, and the sulfonic group forms hydrogen bond network in SPEEK matrix to promote proton transfer. These results propose the composite membranes as a potential candidate for PEMFC at 25 °C making SPEEK composite membrane.