Preparation and physicochemical performance study of proton exchange membranes based on phenyl sulfonated graphene oxide nanosheets decorated with iron titanate nanoparticles

Abstract

Usage of phenyl sulfonated graphene oxide (SGO) as a support material for the dispersion of iron titanate (Fe2TiO5) nanoparticles presents new methods to develop advanced composite materials for proton exchange membranes. Fe2TiO5 nanoparticles were deposited onto graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets by means of one-step solvothermal method. The novel SGO/Fe2TiO5 hybrid material dispersed in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix in order to fabricate thin film membranes by solution casting method. Proton conductivity and methanol permeability of nanocomposite membranes were tested to expose their potential for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) application. The results showed that the nanocomposite membrane containing SGO/Fe2TiO5 (5 wt %) can yield a high proton conductivity (σ = 0.061 S cm−1), low methanol permeability (P = 4.78 × 10−6 cm2 s−1) and good power density (PD = 20.47 mW cm−2) at 30 °C. The membrane's performance evaluated from the ion exchange capacity, water uptake, methanol permeability, proton conductivity and mechanical and thermal properties demonstrated the role of Fe2TiO5/SGO nanosheets as an effective hybrid material in the development of proton exchange membranes.