Water Uptake Properties Research Articles

Electrospun zinc oxide nanoscaffolds: a targeted and selective anticancer approach

This study aims to prepare, characterize, and evaluate zinc oxide nanoscaffolds (ZnO NSs) as a potential anticancer drug that selectively targets malignant cells while remaining non-toxic to normal cells. Electrospun NSs were fabricated and loaded with varying concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). The uniform morphology of the fabricated samples was confirmed through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) imaging. Elemental composition was investigated using Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Biocompatibility and cytotoxicity were assessed using the (3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay) (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. The water uptake and degradation properties of the electrospun NSs were also examined. Furthermore, a cumulative release profile was generated to assess the release behavior of ZnO NSs. The prepared ZnO NSs demonstrated negligible toxicity toward normal human dermal cells. Conversely, the four used concentrations of ZnO NSs displayed substantial cytotoxicity and induced apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. The observed effects were concentration-dependent. Notably, ZnO NSs 8% exhibited the most significant reduction in cell viability against the MCF7 cell line. The findings from this study indicate the potential of ZnO NSs as an effective anticancer agent, with the ZnO NSs 8% demonstrating the most pronounced impact. This research introduces a novel application of electrospun zinc oxide nanoscaffolds, demonstrating their capacity for selective anticancer activity, particularly against breast carcinoma, while preserving normal cell viability. The study presents a significant advancement in the use of nanomaterial for targeted cancer therapy.

Evaluation effect of alginate hydrogel containing losartan on wound healing and gene expression.

Skin tissue engineering has become an increasingly popular alternative to conventional treatments for skin injuries. Hydrogels, owing to their advantages have become the ideal option for wound dressing, and they are extensively employed in a mixture of different drugs to accelerate wound healing. Sodium alginate is a readily available natural polymer with advantages such as bio-compatibility and a non-toxicological nature that is commonly used in hydrogel form for medical applications such as wound repair and drug delivery in skin regenerative medicine. Losartan is a medicine called angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that can prevent fibrosis by inhibiting AT1R (angiotensin II type 1 receptor). In this research, for the first time, three-dimensional scaffolds based on cross-linked alginate hydrogel with CaCl2 containing different concentrations of losartan for slow drug release and exudate absorption were prepared and characterized as wound dressing. Alginate hydrogel was mixed with 10, 1, 0.1, and 0.01mg/mL of losartan, and their properties such as morphology, chemical structure, water uptake properties, biodegradability, stability assay, rheology, blood compatibility, and cellular response were evaluated. In addition, the therapeutic efficiency of the developed hydrogels was then assessed in an in vitro wound healing model and with a gene expression. The results revealed that the hydrogel produced was very porous (porosity of 47.37 ± 3.76µm) with interconnected pores and biodegradable (weight loss percentage of 60.93 ± 4.51% over 14days). All hydrogel formulations have stability under various conditions. The use of CaCl2 as a cross-linker led to an increase in the viscosity of alginate hydrogels. An in vitro cell growth study revealed that no cytotoxicity was observed at the suggested dosage of the hydrogel. Increases in Losartan dosage, however, caused hemolysis. In vivo study in adult male rats with a full-thickness model showed greater than 80% improvement of the primary wound region after 2weeks of treatment with alginate hydrogel containing 0.1mg/mL Losartan. RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis showed a decrease in expression level of TGF-β1 and VEGF in treatment groups. Histological analysis demonstrated that the alginate hydrogel containing Losartan can be effective in wound repair by decreasing the size of the scar and tissue remodeling, as evidenced by future in vivo studies.

Mechanical, free vibration, electrical, and water absorption properties of vinyl ester composites reinforced with Phoenix sp. fibers: Influence of eco‐friendly sodium bicarbonate treatment

AbstractEnvironmentally sustainable and eco‐friendly natural fiber‐reinforced polymer composites have become the materials of interest in replacing synthetic fibers. However, weak interfacial interaction between hydrophilic natural fibers and hydrophobic polymer matrix limits their commercial applicability. Improving the interfacial interaction using environmentally friendly chemical treatments would be beneficial for both industries and the environment. In this study, vinyl ester‐based composites were made by incorporating Phoenix sp. fibers in different content (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt%) and lengths (5, 10, 15, and 20 mm). To improve the interfacial interactions, the fibers were treated with eco‐friendly sodium bicarbonate solution at different durations (24, 120, and 240 h) prior to reinforcing. The fabricated composites were characterized by mechanical, free vibration, electrical resistance, and water uptake properties. The results reveal that both fiber content and fiber length have a significant effect on the above properties. Specifically, the composites incorporated with 20 wt% of 15 mm length fibers offered better properties. Further, the composites added with 120 h treated fibers have the maximum tensile strength (61.35 MPa) and modulus (4.13 GPa), flexural strength (152.63 MPa) and modulus (10.24 GPa), impact strength (24.67 kJ/m2), and natural frequency (56.72 Hz). This improvement is mainly due to the improved interfacial bonding, which was evidenced in morphological analysis. Based on the findings, the eco‐friendly treated sustainable Phoenix sp. fibers could be used as a promising reinforcement material for fabricating light weight polymer composites for various industrial applications.Highlights Various properties of Phoenix sp. fiber/epoxy composites were investigated. Interfacial bonding is enhanced through eco‐friendly chemical treatments. Vibration behavior of composites improved due to high stiffness of treated fibers. Composites with treated fibers have excellent electrical and water resistance.

Fabrication and performance of short glass fiber reinforced polyamide composites

This article deals with the impact of short glass fiber (GF) on the performance of 60/40 wt% of polyamide 6/polyamide 12 (PA6/PA12) blend. The short fiber-reinforced composites were fabricated by using melt compounding via twin screw extruder and injection molding. The morphological, water uptake, rheological, thermo-mechanical, and mechanical properties of the composites were discussed. The morphological observations show that the PA6/PA12 blend exhibited compatible morphology and also adhesion between the fiber and matrix was quite strong. The tensile strength/modulus and storage modulus of the blend were substantially improved with GF reinforcement as a result of these morphological findings. While the water uptake of neat PA6 decreased significantly after blending with PA12, the incorporation of GF further reduced the water uptake of the PA6/PA12 blend. The thermomechanical analysis showed the enhancement of the stiffness of the composites and also glass transition temperature increment.

Water absorption of polyurethane foam reinforced with bio-fillers

This study investigated the effect of biofiller on the cellular structure and water absorption properties of PUF. Although all foams absorbed water, the foams with peach stone fillers and the biochar-activated foams achieved maximum water absorption much higher than neat PU and PUCAC. The percentage was practically quadrupled in PUPSAC and doubled in PUPS compared to neat PU. In conclusion, we have demonstrated a reliable approach to water uptake in PUF composites based on biomass as a porous substrate as a modifier of polyurethane foams. Therefore, this research aims to reinforce polyurethane foam with biofillers to increase its water uptake properties, which may allow it to be used in new applications such as the adsorption of heavy metals and pathogenic microorganisms.

Morphological, thermal and mechanical properties of wheat‐straw reinforced copper nanocomposite

AbstractThe work summarizes an innovative nanocomposite including synthesized copper nanoparticle (CuNP) impregnated wheat straw (WS) (the agronomic waste from an wheat plant) reinforced unsaturated polyester resin has been established. The addition of nanoparticles (NPs) increased the antifungal properties (~11%), durability (~9%), and strength (~39%) of the composites. Therefore, these nanoparticles have been synthesized from a copper chloride dihydrate precursor and they have been impregnated into wheat straw via cationization. This copper‐impregnated wheat straw (CuIWS) was formulated and employed to create a strong and long‐lasting nanocomposite with unsaturated polyester resin. Their morphological, mechanical, chemical, biodegradability (BD), and thermal properties were estimated and relationships were explicated systematically. Particularly, the tensile strength of polyester resin, crude and treated WS (cationized and copper‐impregnated) composites were 11.70, 14.20, 20.92, and 22.34 N/mm2 respectively. Therefore the reinforcement capability for crude, cationized and copper‐impregnated WS composites increased by ~22%, 75%, and 92% respectively. The residual ash was just about 16.23%, 12.04% and 6.56% for copper impregnated wheat straw composite (CuIWSC), Cationized wheat straw composite (CWSC) and untreated wheat straw composite (UTWSC) respectively point to the existence of ~4.1% Cu incorporated into the wheat straw which holds up the energy dispersive x‐ray (EDX) spectra of ~4.2% copper content. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicates that the nanocomposites are stable up to 325°C. These nanocomposites also show superlative crystallinity compared to other ones. Water uptake capacity followed typical Fickian diffusion law. The developed nanocomposites might be suitable for automobile and aircraft parts, furniture, and other indoor to outdoor applications.Highlights TS of the composites increased by increasing the WS filling up to 15%. The crystallinity increased after the addition of nanoparticles. The typical water uptake properties followed the Fickian diffusion rule. Incorporation of nanoparticles increased 11% antifungal properties. The developed nanocomposites are used for inside and outside applications.

Novel zirconium phosphate/MXene/ionic liquid membranes for PEM fuel cells operating up to 145°C

In this work, zirconium phosphate, MXene, and a hexyl-based ionic liquid were incorporated into a porous PTFE polymer to synthesize novel composite proton exchange membranes (PEM) for fuel cell applications. The synthesized composite membranes were evaluated for their conductivity at temperatures above the boiling point of water as well as their water uptake properties, thermal stability, surface morphology, and structural characteristics via several characterization techniques. It was observed that the inclusion of MXene had a direct impact on the thermal stability of these membranes and caused substantial structural modifications within the membrane’s matrix. The fabricated membranes displayed a high proton conductivity at room temperature, reaching a peak of approximately 10−2 S/cm when all materials were combined. The membranes exhibited good proton conductivity of 10−4 S/cm at high temperature ranges up to 145℃ and appeared to be stable at higher temperatures, as thermogravimetric analyses showed. The results reported here demonstrate the suitability of the MXene-based synthesized membranes for hydrogen-fueled PEM fuel cell applications. This, in turn, will contribute to enhanced energy efficiency and cleaner energy transition.

Progress on the preparation method, physicochemical properties, and application of chitosan-based film

Abstract The chitosan-based film, a cling film commonly used with wide application potential, is the focus of this research. Chitosan, a molecule that readily binds with other molecules, possesses the capability to enhance the physicochemical properties of the film when combined with other active substances. The progress made in enhancing the properties of chitosan-based film through the incorporation of other substances is a significant area of investigation. In this article, examples of improved mechanical, antioxidant, barrier, and water uptake properties are listed and discussed. Furthermore, the preparation method of chitosan-based film is thoroughly examined. Ultimately, the synthesis of the application of chitosan-based film in food preservation is presented.

Formulation Effects on the Mechano-Physical Properties of In Situ-Forming Resilient Hydrogels for Breast Tissue Regeneration.

The need for a long-term solution for filling the defects created during partial mastectomies due to breast cancer diagnosis has not been met to date. All available defect-filling methods are non-permanent and necessitate repeat procedures. Here, we report on novel injectable porous hydrogel structures based on the natural polymers gelatin and alginate, which are designed to serve for breast reconstruction and regeneration following partial mastectomy. The effects of the formulation parameters on the mechanical and physical properties were thoroughly studied. The modulus in compression and tension were in the range of native breast tissue. Both increased with the increase in the crosslinker concentration and the polymer-air ratio. Resilience was very high, above 93% for most studied formulations, allowing the scaffold to be continuously deformed without changing its shape. The combination of high resilience and low elastic modulus is favored for adipose tissue regeneration. The physical properties of gelation time and water uptake are controllable and are affected mainly by the alginate and N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) concentrations and less by the polymer-air ratio. In vitro cell viability tests were performed on mouse preadipocytes and indicated high biocompatibility. The minimally invasive nature of this approach, along with the excellent properties of the scaffold, will enable the filling of complex voids while simultaneously decreasing surgical costs and greatly improving patient well-being.

Degradable biporous polymeric networks based on 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane: Towards hierarchically structured materials meant for biomedical applications

For the first time, the preparation of doubly porous “poly(ε-caprolactone)-like” networks through free-radical ring-opening copolymerization of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane with divinyl adipate was achieved via a double porogen templating approach. This versatile strategy allowed for the formation of macropores of around 150 μm generated by removal of sieved and sintered NaCl particles in water, while smaller pores in the 1–10 μm range were created by phase separation during the copolymerization process through a syneresis mechanism in the presence of a porogenic solvent. The chemical nature of the as-obtained scaffolds was evidenced by Raman spectroscopy. The two distinct porosity levels could be examined by scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The nature of the porogenic solvent as well as its volume proportion and the amount of crosslinking agent in the polymerization feed allowed for finely tuning the porous features of the micropores. The crucial role of the double porosity of such biporous scaffolds on their water uptake and mechanical properties under compression was assessed by comparing them with their monoporous analogues, while their degradability was investigated in different alkaline aqueous media. The double porosity enabled a synergistic effect regarding the water uptake of the resulting scaffolds when compared to their monoporous counterparts. Doubly porous polymeric materials with appropriate mechanical properties were obtained, possessing high compressibility and shape memory behavior upon consecutive compression cycles. Finally, these materials display degradation rates that could be controlled depending on medium pH.

Nanofibrous electroconductive scaffolds composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) and modified polyaniline for skin tissue engineering application

AbstractNanofibrous electroconductive scaffolds were designed and fabricated using electrospinning approach based on a poly(vinyl alcohol)‐grafted polyaniline (PVA‐g‐PANI) and neat PVA with various PVA‐g‐PANI content for skin tissue engineering (STE) application. At first, phenylamine‐functionalized PVA macromonomer was synthesized, and then aniline was grafted onto macromonomer by an oxidation polymerization technique. The resultant PVA‐g‐PANI with different ratios was co‐electrospun with PVA to afford PVA‐g‐PANI/PVA electrically conductive nanofibrous scaffolds. Physicochemical features of the scaffolds, including water uptake properties, surface wettabilities, and morphologies as well as biological properties such as biodegradabilities, cytocompatibilities, cells adhesion and proliferation potentials, hemolysis rates, and protein adsorption capacities were investigated. Surface wettabilities of the scaffolds were altered from 55.7° for pure PVA up to 105.1° for the scaffold with the highest PVA‐g‐PANI content (30 wt%). It was found that the biodegradation rates of the scaffolds were decreased by increasing PVA‐g‐PANI content owing to very low biodegradation nature of PANI. Hemolysis assay revealed that all scaffolds were nonhemolytic (hemolysis rate <2%), except the scaffold that fabricated with 30 wt% of PVA‐g‐PANI. As results, the constructed scaffolds with 15 and 20 wt% of PVA‐g‐PANI (S3 and S4, respectively) exhibited higher potentials in both physicochemical and biological properties for STE application.

A bi-functional nanofibrous composite membrane for wound healing applications.

Various wound dressings have been developed so far for wound healing, but most of them are ineffective in properly reestablishing the skin's structure, which increases infection risks and dehydration. Electrospun membranes are particularly interesting for wound dressing applications because they mimic the extracellular matrix of healthy skin. In this study, a potential wound healing platform capable of inducing synergistic antibacterial and antioxidation activities was developed by incorporating bio-active rosmarinic acid-hydroxyapatite hybrid (HAP-RA) with different contents (0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt.%) into the electrospun polyamide 6 (PA6) nanofibers. Then, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was introduced to the nanofibrous composite to improve the biocompatibility and biodegradability of the dressing. The results indicated that the hydrophilicity, water uptake, biodegradability, and mechanical properties of the obtained PA6/PEG/HAP-RA nanofibrous composite enhanced at 1 wt.% of HAP-RA. The nanofibrous composite had excellent antibacterial activity. The antioxidation potential of the samples was assessed in vitro. The MTT assay performed on the L929 cell line confirmed the positive effects of the nanofibrous scaffold on cell viability and proliferation. According to the results, the PA6/PEG/HAP-RA nanofibrous composite showed the desirable physiochemical and biological properties besides antibacterial and antioxidative capabilities, making it a promising candidate for further studies in wound healing applications.

Measurement of Water Uptake and States in Nafion Membranes Using Humidity-Controlled Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy.

Perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomers are well known for their unique water uptake properties and chemical/mechanical stability. Understanding their performance-stability trade-offs is key to realizing membranes with optimal properties. Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy has been demonstrated to resolve water states inside industrially relevant membranes, producing qualitatively agreeable results to conventional gravimetric analysis and prior demonstrations. Using the proposed humidity-controlled terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, here we quantify this detailed water information inside commercially available Nafion membranes at various humidities for direct comparison against literature values from dynamic vapor sorption, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy on selected samples. Using this technique therefore opens up opportunities for rapid future parameter space investigation for membrane optimization.

Influence of sodium hydroxide, silane, and siloxane treatments on the moisture sensitivity and mechanical properties of flax fiber composites

AbstractNatural fibers are a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers due to their high weight‐specific Young's moduli and strengths. However, the mechanical properties of natural fibers are very sensitive to their moisture content. Therefore, chemical treatments are often applied to natural fibers to lower their water absorption and enhance fiber‐matrix interaction. The aim is to study the effects of fiber modifications with sodium hydroxide, silane, and siloxane on the water uptake and tensile properties of flax fiber composites produced via prepreg technology. In addition, the effect of moisture on the composites' tensile properties was investigated by conditioning one part of the tensile specimens according to DIN EN 2823 (at 70°C and 85% relative humidity). The NaOH treatment was the only modification that had positive effects on the Young's modulus and tensile strength in the unconditioned and conditioned state. The increase of the tensile modulus and strength are most likely due to changes in flax fiber composition, crystallinity of the cellulose and the rougher fiber surface of NaOH modified fibers. This shows that chemical treatment of natural fibers may improve the performance level of natural fiber composites and prevent a loss in their mechanical properties in humid environments.Highlights Flax fiber modifications with sodium hydroxide, silane, and siloxane. Flax fiber composite production via prepreg technology. Water uptake after conditioning at 70°C and 85% relative humidity. Tensile tests before and after conditioning. SEM images of modified flax fibers.

Role of carbon quantum dots from lychee fruit husk waste and discarded caster bean stem fiber on load bearing, fatigue, and water uptake properties of epoxy composite

Role of carbon quantum dots from lychee fruit husk waste and discarded caster bean stem fiber on load bearing, fatigue, and water uptake properties of epoxy composite

Outstanding performance of flower-like NiO nanostructures in epoxied soybean oil-based polyurethane nanocomposite coatings: Investigation of anticorrosion and antibacterial properties

Nowadays, nanocomposite coatings have gained much attention from both academic and industrial aspects mainly because of the outstanding properties which they can offer simultaneously. Specifically, anti-corrosion properties can make them one of the best choices to solve destructive corrosion problems. Nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles have been synthesized to create these outstanding properties in vegetable oil-based polyurethane coatings. To this end, epoxidized soyabean oil was utilized to synthesize polyol and produce polyurethane coatings, and NiO nanoparticles were incorporated into the obtained coatings. The obtained coatings were evaluated through the FTIR, H NMR, and FESEM techniques and their performance in terms of water uptake, anticorrosion and antibacterial properties were investigated. The obtained results clearly showed that the presence of NiO nanoparticles has had an undeniable effect on the performance of the coating in protecting mild steel substrate against corrosion. Moreover, using these nanoparticles has created remarkable antibacterial properties in the coating besides improved mechanical performance compared to pure polyurethane coating.

From cocoa waste to sustainable bioink: valorising pectin for circular economy-driven tissue engineering

Cocoa bean production, a cornerstone of many developing economies, currently adheres to a linear economic model, giving rise to sustainability concerns. The expansion of cocoa butter and liquor consumption has resulted in the increased generation of residual biomass, constituting 60–70 % of fresh fruit. The absence of management plans for this biomass in cocoa-producing countries poses a risk of phytosanitary issues. This study proposed a circular economy approach by valorising cocoa pod husk-derived pectin for tissue engineering. The study optimised an alkaline-based protocol to extract pectin from cocoa pod husk, resulting in ∼ 20 % yield with a ∼ 47 % degree of esterification. Methacrylation transformed extracted pectin into pectin methacrylate (PECMA), confirmed by FTIR-ATR and NMR analyses. PECMA hydrogels, crosslinked with CaCO3 and UV, exhibited rapid gelation and superior water uptake properties. SEM revealed distinct morphological differences with UV exposure, showing improved interconnectivity and anisotropic porosity while the mechanical testing demonstrated enhanced compressive modulus and rheological properties with UV crosslinking. PECMA-based bioink encapsulated chondrocytes, maintaining cell viability over 6 days. This innovative bioink, derived from cocoa waste, holds promise for sustainable tissue engineering applications.

Anionic species from multivalent metal salts are differentially retained during aqueous ionic gelation of sodium alginate and could fine-tune the hydrogel properties

The role of anionic counterions of divalent metal salts in alginate gelation and hydrogel properties has been thoroughly investigated. Three anions were selected from the Hofmeister series, namely sulphate, acetate and chloride, paired in all permutations and combinations with divalent metal cations like calcium, zinc and copper. Spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of anions and their interaction with the respective metal cations in the hydrogel. The data showed that the gelation time and other hydrogel properties were largely controlled by cations. However, subtle yet significant variations in viscoelasticity, water uptake, drug release and cytocompatibility properties were anion dependent in each cationic group. Computational modelling based study showed that metal-anion-alginate configurations were energetically more stable than the metal-alginate models. The in vitro and in silico studies concluded that acetate anions preceded chlorides in the drug release, swelling and cytocompatibility fronts, followed by sulphate anions in each cationic group. Overall, the data confirmed that anions are an integral part of the metal-alginate complex. Furthermore, anions offer a novel option to further fine-tune the properties of alginate hydrogels for myriads of applications. In addition, full exploration of this novel avenue would enhance the usability of alginate polymers in the pharmaceutical, environmental, biomedical and food industries.

Current challenges in the visibility improvement of urban Chongqing in Southwest China: From the perspective of PM2.5-bound water uptake property over 2015–2021

The visibility (VIS) improvement remains challenging such as in Southwest China, although the aerosol loading was reduced markedly. More in-depth understanding of interactions between visibility and aerosol physicochemical properties is required. This study systematically investigated mechanisms behind the interannual variation of low visibility at urban Chongqing from the aspect of PM2.5-bound optical enhancements over a relatively large timescale of 2015–2021. Results show that VIS <10 km frequently exceeded 50% in 2021 despite remarkable emission reductions since 2015, with the most severe challenge in visibility improvement faced in winter. Generally, the annual mean aerosol hygroscopicity and light extinction capacity were promoted during 2015–2021, as demonstrated by a higher optical enhancement factor (f(RH)), aerosol liquid water content per unit PM2.5 mass (i.e., ALWC/PM2.5), and dry mass extinction efficiency (MEEdry) observed for 2021 in comparison to previous years. A pronounced ascending trend existed in the annual mean fraction of nitrate (fNO3−), which even surpassed organics and sulfate to be the predominant composition in PM2.5. A similar evolution of fNO3− was observed during the visibility degradation specifically when VIS <10 km, highlighting the importance of highly hydrophilic inorganics in the haze formation. Given that the higher level of fNO3− normally introduced an elevated ALWC/PM2.5 which likely enhanced secondary aerosol formation (e.g., sulfate, nitrate, and secondary organics) via multiphase reactions, the combined effects could further exacerbate the visibility degradation particularly under highly humid and polluted conditions. Stricter controls such as on NOx and volatile organic precursors would be beneficial for the visibility improvement in China.

Clay powder in polymer composite membranes enhanced the performance of direct methanol fuel cells

Polyvinyl alcohol has the potential to be used in fuel cell membranes due to its chemical, mechanical, and membrane-forming capabilities, as well as its higher hydrophilicity and low methanol permeability. However, the pure PVA membrane has a lower proton conductivity than the NafionTM membrane. With the addition of some ceramic fillers, PVA can be a possible alternative to NafionTM membranes. Therefore, we used the solution method to prepare three polyvinyl alcohol-based composite membranes with the following compositions: a) 5 wt% PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), b) 5 wt% PVA/2 wt % PEG (polyethylene glycol)/wt.1% silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles, and c) 5 wt% PVA/2 wt% PEG/wt.1% clay powder. The membranes were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), oxidative stability, ion exchange capacity, water absorption characteristics, conductivity, and permeability. FITR, EDX, and SEM confirmed the successful fabrication of the composite membrane, while TGA demonstrated membrane thermal stability and other parameters relevant to fuel cell membranes. The methanol permeability of the membrane is pure 5 wt % PVA, 5 wt%PVA/2 wt%/1 wt% SiO2, and 5 wt% PVA/2 wt% PEG/wt.1% Clay measured 2.37 × 10−6 cm2/s, 2.89 × 10−6 cm2/s, and 1.57 × 10−6 cm2/s, respectively. The methanol permeability of 5 wt% PVA/2 wt% PEG/wt.1% Clay is better than of Nafion117 (5.16 × 10−6 cm2/s as reported). The membrane 5 wt% PVA/2 wt% PEG/1% Clay exhibits satisfactory levels of oxidative stability (RW% = 94.09 at 1.32 h), IEC (0.232 meq/g), conductivity (0.00432 S/cm), methanol permeability (1.57 × 10−6 cm2/s), selectivity (3.63 × 10−4 Ss/cm3), and better water uptake properties at fuel cell operating temperature. As a result, it is reasonable to expect that PVA-based modified membranes will outperform NafionTM membranes in the future.