Synthesis and characterization of sulfonated polytriazole-clay proton exchange membrane by in situ polymerization and click reaction for direct methanol fuel cells

Sulfonated polytriazole-clay (SFTA-clay) nanocomposites are successfully prepared by in situ polymerization of SPTA using click chemistry in the presence of propargyl-functionality modified clay. The clay layers are exfoliated and well dispersed within the SPTA matrix resulting in improvements in thermal stability, mechanical strength, methanol permeability, water retention, ion channel size, and ionic cluster distribution. The SPTA-clay nanocomposite membranes with small amounts of clay in the SPTA matrices possess higher selectivity's; defined as the ratio of proton conductivity to methanol permeability, and thus have potential as proton exchange membranes (PEMs) in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.