Increase Of MMT Content Research Articles

Effects of montmorillonite on the loading and release of Piper betle L. extract applied for wound dressing based on chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol

In this study, we investigate the influence of montmorillonite (MMT) on the loading and release of Piper betle L. extract (PLE)–a medicinal herb containing active secondary metabolites with antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti–inflammatory effects. MMT (1 %, 3 %, 5 %) was blended into the chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA) biocomposite film by the solution evaporation method, and then PLE was loaded onto this biocomposite using the immersion method. The tensile strength and the ability to absorb exudates of the CS/PVA film improved with the increase in MMT content. The MMT 3 % film was considered to have the best properties: good mechanical properties with a tensile strength of 27.44 ± 0.27 MPa and elongation at break of 14.57 ± 0.30 %, potential for wound dressing due to its ability to absorb wound exudate (swelling degree 61.70 ± 0.30 %) and a suitable water vapor transmission rate (1999 ± 47 g/m2·d). The presence of MMT (1 %, 3 %, 5 %) in the CS/PVA film led to an increase in the PLE loading efficiency of the films compared to the film without MMT, up to 1.65, 1.73, and 1.87 times, respectively. The MMT 3 % and 5 % films also exhibited a sustained PLE release effect for up to 24 h. MMT increased PLE bioavailability through bioactivity tests: antibacterial activity against both E. coli and S. aureus, antioxidant activity, effective healing of 2nd–degree burn wounds, and biocompatibility with the L929 fibroblasts cell line. The combination of physicochemical properties and biological activities proved that the MMT/PLE drug delivery system based on the CS/PVA biocomposite is promising for wound dressing.

Composite Polymer Granules Based on Poly-ε-Caprolactone and Montmorillonite Prepared by Solution-Casting and Melt Extrusion.

Eco-friendly polymer composites in the form of granules based on biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) with the inclusion of montmorillonite (MMT) from 5 to 50 wt% were prepared by solution-casting and melt extrusion. The physicochemical properties of the composite granules were studied using FTIR spectroscopy, XRDA, DSC, and TGA methods. The paper presents comparative values of crystallinity of composite granules which depend on the method of measuring (XRDA, DSC). It was shown that the crystallinity of PCL/MMT granules was affected by the preparation method and by the MMT content, and that with increase in MMT content, crystallinity increased by up to 61-67%. The change in crystallinity of the granules also affected its biodegradation in soil. At the end of exposure in soil, the mass loss for the granules prepared by solution-casting was more than 90%, whereas for the composite granules prepared by extrusion it was less than 60%. Applying melt extrusion enabled obtaining intercalated composites with predictable features, whereas only mixed-structure microcomposites could be prepared by solution-casting.

Effect of fiber hybridization and montmorillonite clay on properties of treated kenaf/aloe vera fiber reinforced PLA hybrid nanobiocomposite

Hybrid fiber reinforced polymer nanobiocomposites were prepared from kenaf fiber, aloe vera fiber, polylactic acid (PLA), and montmorillonite (MMT) clay through the compression molding method. The effects of fiber hybridization and MMT clay on their mechanical, water absorption, thermal and biodegradability properties were studied. Before fabrication, kenaf and aloe vera fibers were treated with the 6% sodium hydroxide solution to improve the bonding nature and compatibility between fibers and PLA matrix. Results indicated that the biocomposites thermal, tensile, flexural, impact, abrasion resistance, and water resistance properties were increased by adding of MMT clay. The mechanical properties were found to be increased upon 15 wt% kenaf fiber, 15 wt% aloe vera fiber hybridization and 1 wt% MMT clay incorporated. In addition, the 1 wt% MMT clay included hybrid nanobiocomposite exhibited increased tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and abrasion resistance by 5.24, 2.46, 37.10, and 23.91%, respectively compared to virgin PLA. Additionally, the tensile and flexural moduli of these nanobiocomposite are improved by 24.61 and 108.09%, respectively, than neat PLA. With the addition of 3 wt% MMT clay resulted in the biocomposite decomposition temperature from 280 to 307 °C at T10 likewise 337 to 361 °C at T75 SEM analysis disclosed that MMT clay strongly enhances the bonding and compatibility among fibers and PLA. TEM result reveals that the quality of MMT dispersion decreases with increase in MMT content. The fiber hybridization improved the biodegradability and water resistance properties of biocomposites, however, the addition of MMT clay improved water resistance but decreased biodegradability.

Effect of montmorillonite on PEBAX® 1074-based mixed matrix membranes to be used in humidifiers in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Abstract To meet the increasing requirements of membrane humidification in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), a series of montmorillonite (MMT)/PEBAX® 1074 mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were fabricated using the solvent casting method. Pristine MMT and poly(oxyalkylene)amine (APOP)-modified MMT were added as the filler. Using the XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and TEM, the morphology and chemical structure of MMT during modification were investigated. Using the tests of water vapor permeability, air permeability, water contact angle, and crystallinity, the effects of montmorillonite on membrane properties were investigated. The results showed that surface hydrophilicity and crystallinity of MMMs increased as the MMT content increases, which leads to higher vapor permeability and selectivity than the pure PEBAX® 1074 membrane. After modification, APOP-MMT/PEBAX® 1074 MMMs showed better performance in vapor permeability and vapor/air selectivity. The best selectivity was 1.7 × 105, which is three times higher than that of pure PEBAX® 1074 membrane.

Effect of Nano-montmorillonite on Properties of Spray-dried Cinnamon Oil Microcapsules

Proper dispersion of layered nano-clay within the wall of oil microcapsule is a strategy for improving encapsulation properties. In the present study, cinnamon oil microcapsules with addition of nano montmorillonite (MMT) in wall materials were prepared by spray drying, encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC) were measured. The release properties of microcapsules at different humidity and high temperature were investigated. The results show that the emulsion with 12% MMT content has the highest stability and shows the lowest droplet mean diameter. The EE and LC increase with the increase of MMT content and reach the maximum at 12% MMT content as a function of compact wall membrane structure formed from MMT dispersed in polymer. The addition of MMT decreases cinnamon oil release rate and improves the barrier property of wall membranes due to the less water absorption. Thermal stability of microcapsules is also enhanced.

Nanoclay incorporation into soy protein/polyvinyl alcohol blends to enhance the mechanical and barrier properties

To enhance the mechanical and water barrier properties of soy protein isolate (SPI/)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blends, montmorillonite (MMT), as a layered silicate clay was incorporated and SPI/PVA/MMT composite films were successfully prepared by melt processing in this work. The results showed that the structure of the composites was highly dependent on the MMT content. MMT nanofillers could act as the heterogeneous nucleating agent for PVA, which accelerated the crystallization and increased the size distribution of the crystalline. With the increase of MMT content, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the composites increased, exhibiting the fine reinforcing effect. Due to the effective restriction of the highly disordered MMT lamellae on the matrix segment, the water sensitivity of the composites decreased and at the same time, the thermal stability improved. The resulting nanocomposite films exhibited wide applications as biodegradable materials, green packaging films, etc. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3768–3776, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers

Facile construction of cellulose/montmorillonite nanocomposite biobased plastics with flame retardant and gas barrier properties

Plastics with good flame retardant and gas barrier properties have been widely applied in the electrical industry. On the basis of the affinity between clay and cellulose, cellulose/montmorillonite (MMT) biobased plastics were constructed via a simple hot pressing of cellulose/MMT hydrogels prepared from a mixture of the cellulose solution and MMT suspension solution. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the MMT thin lamellae with about 4 nm thickness were uniformly dispersed in cellulose/MMT nanocomposite plastics. Moreover, transmission electron microscopy confirmed that an intercalated structure of MMT appeared in the cellulose/MMT. The experimental results revealed that MMT was well fixed in the cellulose matrix by the hydrogen bonding interaction and affinity between MMT and cellulose, leading to good miscibility. The tensile strength of the nanocomposite increased with an increase of MMT content. Moreover, the flame retardant of cellulose/MMT biobased plastic was improved with an increase of MMT content, while the biobased plastic with 20 wt% MMT achieved the highest limiting oxygen index of 29.3 %. Because of their good limiting oxygen index and gas barrier properties, these cellulose/MMT biobased plastics have potential applications in fields such as gas resistance, flame retardant, packaging material, etc.

Dynamics of poly(methyl methacrylate)–montmorillonite nanocomposites: A dielectric study

The effect of varying amounts of montmorillonite (MMT) filler (in weight ratios of 100/0, 100/5, and 100/10) on the molecular dynamics and polarization of atactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is investigated using broad-band dielectric spectroscopy from 10−2 to 106Hz and at temperatures from 30 to 140°C. The experimental data were analyzed with the sum of Havriliak–Negami (HN) functions and a power-law conduction term. The characteristic frequency, activation energies, and dielectric strength of PMMA/MMT nanocomposites were analyzed. As MMT content increases, a Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars (MWS) relaxation emerges in the nanocomposites and the α-relaxation contributed by main-chain movements above Tg occurs at lower temperatures as silicate layers in MMT segregate PMMA chains into smaller domains. The characteristic frequency of β-relaxations is influenced by the mergence with the α-relaxation above Tg. Further, the strength of the β-relaxation is stable as a function of temperature in both pure PMMA and the PMMA/MMT nanocomposites whereas, in the nanocomposites, the strengths of the α- and MWS relaxations increase significantly with temperature up to approximately 120°C.

Electrically conductive and optically transparent polyaniline/montmorillonite nanocomposite thin films

Simple technology (i.e. one-step polymerization of anilinium sulfate in the presence of montmorillonite) has been used to prepare polyaniline/montmorillonite (PANI/MMT) nanocomposite thin films. The present work is focused on the effect of MMT content on the thickness, morphology and electrical conductivity of PANI/MMT nanocomposite films. An increase in MMT content led to an increase in film thickness and surface roughness and to a decrease in conductivity from a maximum value of 356S/m to a minimum value of 76S/m, while for pure PANI films, prepared using the same polymerization procedure (from anilinium sulfate), the conductivity was 59S/m. On the other hand, the MMT content exhibited a significant impact on the optical transparency of PANI/MMT nanocomposite films, which was limited to the range of 450–650nm in contrast with pure PANI films showing non-zero transparency in the whole measured range of wavelength 300–800 nm. Atomic force microscopy clearly proved the alignment of PANI chains in nanocomposite films in comparison with pure PANI films. Scanning electron microscopy revealed in detail the significant difference in surface morphology between pure PANI films and PANI nanofilms covering the MMT particles.

Dielectric studies of Poly (Ethylene glycol)-Polyurethane/Poly (Methylmethacrylate)/Montmorillonite Composite

Semi Inter penetrating Polymer Network (IPN) of [poly (ethylene glycol)-polyurethane-polymethylmethacrylate] [60:40]-montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites with different weight percentages of MMT are synthesized. The formation of the composite and its structural properties are characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and XRD patterns show the amorphous nature of the composites. The Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) shows the enhanced thermal stability of the composite compared with the semi IPN without fillers. The conductivity behavior, frequency dependent modulus properties and dielectric properties of these prepared composites are studied by using ac impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the frequency range 1Hz-1MHz. It is found from the impedance results that conductivity increases from 2.17×10−7 S/cm to 2.32×10−6 S/cm with increase of MMT concentration up to 5wt % and it decreases with further increase of MMT content. The dielectric analysis shows that dielectric permittivity (ɛ′) and dielectric loss (ɛ″) values decreases with increase in frequency at lower frequency region whereas frequency independent behavior is observed in the high frequency region. The electrical modulus representation shows a peak in the imaginary component. The ionic conduction relaxation times of the composites obtained from this peak maximum are in good correlation with the electrode polarization relaxation time and conductivity values.

In situ polymerization of cationic polyacrylamide/montmorillonite composites and its flocculation characteristics

In order to improve the waste sludge dewaterability of polyacrylamide (PAM), composite conditioner of cationic PAM/montmorillonite (CPAM/MMT) was synthesized by in situ polymerization. The structure and property of the composite were studied in terms of intermolecular hydrogen bonding, melting behavior, intercalation behavior, and dewaterability of the waste sludge. The results revealed that the molecular weight and cationic degree of CPAM/MMT composites decreased with the increase of MMT content. The hydrogen bonding between –OH groups of MMT and –NH groups of CPAM was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis, which led to a relatively high elastic modulus values and low tan δ values at 5 wt% MMT content, indicating the possible formation of a physically cross-linked network in aqueous solution for the composite. The melting temperature of the composites presented decreasing trend first and then became higher as the content of MMT increased. The MMT platelets dispersed well with an intercalated state in CPAM matrix as indicated by x-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopic observation. The addition of MMT reduced the specific resistance to filtration of the waste sludge, with a minimum value being achieved at 5 wt% MMT content, while the ultraviolet transmittance of the supernatant of the waste sludge was also improved, and the turbidity was reduced. This synergistic effect of the two components in the composite through charge neutrality and bridging action of CPAM as well as the adsorption capacity of MMT resulted in an enhanced dewaterability of waste sludge.

Dielectric properties of polypyrrole/pillared clay nanocomposites

Dielectric constant ɛ′ and loss factor ɛ″ were measured in intercalated polypyrrole/aluminum pillared montmorillonite (PPy/Al-PMMT) clay nanocomposites in the frequency range 100 Hz to 1 MHz. The PPy/Al-PMMT nanocomposites were prepared by in situ polymerization of pyrrole in aqueous dispersion of varying amounts of (Al-PMMT) clay from 0.2 to 10%, using FeCl3 · 6H2O as an oxidant. Formation of the nanocomposite was studied by FTIR and intercalation of PPy in the clay galleries was confirmed by XRD. The nanocomposites exhibited very large values of ɛ′ and ɛ″ at low frequency which decreased with frequency and increased with the clay content in the samples. Electric modulus formalism exhibited a peak in the frequency dependence curves of imaginary part of the electric modulus due to conductivity relaxation process. The peak of conductivity relaxation shifted towards higher frequencies and the magnitude of relaxation decreased with the increase of MMT content in the composites.

Effects of acid neutralization on the morphology and properties of organoclay nanocomposites formed from K + and Na + poly(ethylene- co-methacrylic acid) ionomers

Nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending various sodium (Na +) and potassium (K +) ionomers formed from poly(ethylene- co-methacrylic acid) and the M 2(HT) 2 organoclay formed from montmorillonite (MMT). The effects of the neutralization level of the acid groups and the precursor melt index on the morphology and properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated using stress-strain analysis, wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with particle analysis. The aspect ratio generally increases as the neutralization level increases, except for Na + ionomer nanocomposites with neutralization levels >50%. It appears from both WAXS and TEM analyses that Na + ionomer nanocomposites have higher levels of MMT exfoliation and particle orientation in the flow direction than K + ionomer nanocomposites. DSC results indicate that the level of crystallinity in the Na + ionomers generally increases slightly with MMT addition, while the crystallinity in the K + ionomers decreases slightly with MMT addition. The relative modulus of K + ionomer nanocomposites increases as the degree of neutralization increases. The relative moduli of Na + ionomer nanocomposites are higher than the relative modulus of K + ionomer nanocomposites, likely due to the increased crystallinity of the Na + ionomers and the decreased crystallinity of the K + ionomers upon addition of MMT, the higher exfoliation levels measured by the aspect ratios and the particle densities, and the higher particle orientation indicated by TEM and WAXS. The relative modulus generally increases as the aspect ratio increases. The elongation at break generally decreases as the MMT content increases and as the neutralization level increases for both ionomer types. The fracture energy of most of the ionomers increases with the addition of MMT, reaches a maximum between 2.5 and 5 wt% MMT, and then decreases upon further MMT addition.

Network parameters of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)/montmorillonite hydrogels: effects of accelerator and clay content

AbstractThe results of network parameters of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)/montmorillonite (PNIPAAm/MMT) hydrogels prepared with two different types and concentrations of accelerators (tetramethylethylenediamine, TEMED and quaternary TEMED containing decyl bromide, QTEMED) using three different clay contents (1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 wt% of total monomer concentration) at two different polymerization temperatures (10 and 32°C) were presented and discussed. It was observed that when the reaction temperature of PNIPAAm crosslinked with MMT was chosen as 10°C both volume swelling ratios (i.e., thermodynamic interaction) and shear moduli, G increased. In hydrogels, thermodynamic interaction is reflected by polymer–water interaction parameter (χ). The lower is the value of χ, the stronger is the interaction between polymer and water, and the lower is the interaction between hydrophobic groups or between polymer chains. In addition, increase in MMT content was slightly affected on these intermolecular interactions. Therefore, this effect that combines high‐shear modulus with lower value of χ in the same molecular structure was defined as clay content‐independent diffusion behavior. On the other hand, in the case of the hydrogels synthesized with the higher concentration of TEMED and MMT, the values of χ and G decreased. These facts were interpreted that increase in both accelerator concentration and clay content, for fixed NIPAAm concentration made the number of effective crosslinks between MMT layers smaller. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Novel method to measure the shear strength of exfoliated montmorillonite/polymer nanocomposite films

AbstractShear fracture of exfoliated montmorillonite/poly(methyl acrylate‐co‐methyl methacrylate) (MMT/P(MA‐co‐MMA)) nanocomposite films fabricated via soap‐free emulsion polymerization was studied using a unique test fixture that is capable of controlling the inclined angle between the loading axis and the shear fracture plane. It was found that fracture of the films depended on both shear and normal stresses and could be described by the Mohr–Coulomb criterion. The effects of MMT content on the intrinsic shear strength (i.e. the shear strength at zero normal stress) τs were also examined. The obtained τs increased from 1.66 to 2.78 MPa as 1 wt% MMT was incorporated into P(MA‐co‐MMA) and then increased almost linearly to 5.32 MPa when the content of MMT increased to 15 wt%. Also, the fracture‐surface morphology of the composite film depended on both the MMT content and the inclined angle (and hence the normal‐to‐shear stress ratio). For low MMT contents and low normal‐to‐shear stress ratios, striations normal to the shear direction appeared on the fracture surface. As the MMT content or the stress ratio increased, the fracture surface became rough accompanied by the presence of interfacial micro‐cracking between MMT nanoplatelets and the matrix. With further increase in MMT content and high stress ratio, the MMT nanoplatelets were compressed into large flakes on the fracture surface. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

High‐temperature‐resistant polyimide/montmorillonite nanocomposite foams by solid blending

AbstractA series of high‐temperature‐resistant polyimide/montmorillonite (PI/MMT) nanocomposite foams were prepared by solid blending method. The dispersion of MMT and effects of MMT content on the properties of the PI/MMT nanocomposite foams were investigated. Results indicated that MMT could be exfoliated effectively and dispersed uniformly in the PI matrix by the solid blending method. The introduction of MMT could considerably increase the reduced compressive strength, thermal resistance, and decrease the dielectric constant of the PI/MMT nanocomposite foams. The reduced compressive strength of nanocomposite foams showed a maximum value at the MMT content of 5 wt%, which was 197% higher than that of pure PI foams. It was worth noting that a significant increase in glass‐transition temperature (T g) could be achieved with the increase of MMT content, and the maximum T g was as high as 436°C at the MMT content of 7 wt%. This study may provide a useful method to prepare PI/MMT nanocomposite foams with improved properties for targeted high‐temperature applications. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. ©2011 Society of Plastics Engineers

Synthesis and Characterization of Soy Protein Isolate/MMT Nanocomposite Film for the Control Release of the Drug Ofloxacin

Nanocomposites were prepared by blending soy protein isolate with different percentage of MMT by melt extrusion technique. The nanocomposites were characterized by using, XRD, TEM, SEM and TGA methods. The XRD studies indicated the absence of diffraction peaks for the bio-nanocomposites. From the TEM studies it was ascertained that the degree of exfoliation increased with increase in MMT content. The morphology of the nanocomposites was ascertained from the SEM studies. The degradation pattern of the nano-composites was evaluated from the TG analysis. The drug delivery system of the nanocmposites was investigated by blending the nanocomposites with ofloxacin at different pH media. The various kinetic parameters were evaluated and the mechanism of drug delivery has been postulated based on the kinetic data.

Polyanilme-montmorilltonite (PANl-MMT) nanocomposites: Mechanochemical synthesis, structure, thermostability and electrical properties

Polyaniline (PANI)-montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared by direct intercalation of aniline molecules into MMT galleries, followed by in situ mechanochemical polymerization under solvent free conditions. X-rays diffraction, Fourier Transform Infra Red analyses and UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed the successful synthesis of polyaniline chains between the MMT nano-interlayers. On increasing the amount of MMT basal spacing decreased gradually, suggesting less intercalation with decreasing amount of aniline. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated strong differences between the morphologies of PANI-MMT nanocomposites and those of pure MMT and PANI. DC conductivity was measured in the temperature range from 145 K to 303 K using four probe methods. Temperature dependent DC conductivity of PANI and all the PANI-MMT composites followed 3 dimensional variable range hopping (3D VRH) model. Frequency dependent AC conductivity (σAC), dielectric constant (ɛ′) and loss factor (ɛ″) have been measured in the frequency range 102–106. All these measured quantities; σAC, ɛ′ and ɛ″ decreased with the increase in MMT content in the composites at all frequencies. The frequency dependence of σAC displayed a low frequency region below 104 Hz with almost constant conductivity, while above this frequency a rapid rise in σAC was observed with a power law of frequency dependence with an exponent equal to 0.7. Both real and imaginary parts of the permittivity exhibited a low frequency dispersion which has been attributed to hopping of polarons and bipolarons in PANI and its composites. The thermal stability was checked by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and was found to be enhanced due to addition of MMT in the PANI.

Study on Erosion Wear Behavior of PDCPD/MMT Nanocomposite

Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD)/montmorillonite Clay (MMT) nanocomposites were synthesized through reaction injection molding with a Gusmer-Decker machine by in situ polymerization. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) diagrams of the nanocomposites showed that MMT were completely exfoliated within the range of 0.25% to 4% MMT. The erosion wear behaviors of PDCPD/MMT nanocomposites were studied using an MCF-30 water and sand erosion wear tester. The worn surface of PDCPD/MMT nanocomposites was exami-ned with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the wear mechanism was discussed.It was found that when the content of MMT is 0.25%, the erosion rate of nanocompositesreach the minimum; the erosion rate of nanocomposites increases with the increase of MMT content compared with neat PDCPD. The important wear mechanism of neat PDCPD was tearing and ploughing-cutting, And the results showed that wear mechanism of PDCPD/MMT nanocomposites was dominated by ploughing-cutting, with the increase of MMT the severe mechanical cutting, fatigue wear and slight brittle rupture appear. PDCPD/MMT nanocomposites with a lower content of MMT were thus a promising structural material candidate for engineering application.

Evaluation of sulphonated polystyrene ethylene butylene polystyrene/montmorillonite nano-composites as proton exchange membranes

Protons conducting sulphonated polystyrene ethylene butylene polystyrene (SPSEBS) membranes and solution interaction technique for fuel cell applications. Various composite membranes based on sulphonated polystyrene ethylene butylene polystyrene ionomer with montmorillonite were prepared to increase the mechanical strength as well as decrease the methanol permeability. Possible interaction between MMT and SPSEBS was studied by IR and XRD. The suitability of the composite membranes for fuel cell application was evaluated in terms of water uptake, Ion exchange capacity, methanol permeability and proton conductivity. The methanol absorption and permeability of the composite membranes was found to decrease with the increase in MMT content. The proton conductivity of the membranes was studied as a function of ion exchange capacity. The proton conductivity of the membrane was found to decrease slightly from that of SPSEBS membrane. The negative impact of Montmorillonite on the ionic conductivity was restricted. Hence, the low cost composite membranes can be considered for use in Fuel Cell Applications.