Abstract
Sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) membrane was synthesized and evaluated for its application in proton exchange membrane. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and SPEEK composite membrane was also prepared using solution casting method and evaluated for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) application. The FT-IR and UV- visible spectra confirmed the successful sulfonation of PEEK. Results showed an increase in ion exchange capacity (IEC) value from 1.426mmol/g to 1.502mmol/g for SPEEK and SPEEK/0.7%CNTs composite. The degree of sulfonation (DS %) was determined by back titration method and the value was found to be 46% and 49 % for SPEEK and SPEEK/0.7%CNTs composite respectively. The conductivity of the SPEEK membrane was found to be 9.93 mS/cm and for composite membrane (SPEEK/0.7%CNTs) the value of conductivity exceeded approximately two times and found to be 22.44 mS/cm. The ratio of water uptake and swelling was observed to decrease proving the good quality of the membrane.
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