Characterization of sulfonated silica nanocomposite electrolyte membranes for fuel cell

Sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) and sulfonated silica (silica-SO3H) prepared via sol-gel reaction are used as an organic polymer matrix and inorganic nanoparticles. The contents of the silica-SO3H particles in the composite membranes are controlled at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 wt.% in order to evaluate the appropriate content for high proton conductivity. Randomly dispersed silica particles are obtained from all composite membranes as a result of the hydrophilic domains in the polymer and silica-SO3H. In this study, the optimum silica-SO3H content for high proton conductivity is 3 wt.% in fully hydrated conditions and 0.5 wt.% in low humidity conditions.