Surface architecture and proton conduction in SPVDF-co-HFP based nanocomposite membrane for fuel cell applications: Influence of aprotic solvent mixture

Abstract

In the present study, the prime focus is to study the effect of a new solvent mixture on the formation of PVDF-co-HFP based nanocomposite membrane by solution casting method and their applicability to perform as a proton conducting membrane for fuel cell applications. A definite proportion two dipolar aprotic solvent mixture N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and Acetonitrile (ACN) was used as the solvent mixture and it has been observed that the use of these solvents results in a porous structure with smaller micro domains within it, as evidenced from the FESEM micrographs. The mechanical resistance of the membranes also significantly improved with the change of solvent resulting in the formation of a ductile membrane. Incorporation of in-situ synthesized silanized silica nanoparticles into the polymer backbone following the sulfonation of the membranes using chlorosulfonic acid, also contributed in the improved physicochemical and the electrochemical properties with respect to higher water retention, better ion exchange capability (0.98 meq. g−1) and proton conductivities. Additionally, the silanized silica nanoparticles showed improved dispersibility within the polymer membrane thereby resulting in absorption of more sulfonic acid groups and shortened interchain separation distance which has been confirmed from XRD analysis. Thus, an interconnected proton conduction pathway which was formed, enhanced the proton conductivity to 0.113 S cm−1. Further, the barrier properties of the silica nanoparticles additionally suppressed the methanol crossover as compared with Nafion, while improving the membrane selectivity (3.65 × 104 S.scm−3).