New proton conducting nanocomposite membranes based on poly vinyl alcohol/poly vinyl pyrrolidone/BaZrO3 for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

In this study for the first time, BaZrO3 nanoparticles as mixed metal oxides, with provision of strong acid sites and good hydrophilic nature were used for the preparation of organic-inorganic proton exchange membranes. Poly(vinyl alcohol)-BarO(3) (PB) and poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-BaZrO3 (PPB) nanocomposite membranes have been prepared. PPB nanocomposite membranes containing 1 wt.% of BaZrO3 nanoparticles demonstrated high proton conductivity (6.01 x 10(-2) S/cm) at 70 degrees C. The highest peak power density of 28.98 mW/cm(2) at E-p,E-max of 0.14 V with a peak current density (i(p,max)) of 201 mA/cm(2) was achieved for the PEMFC which included PPB nanocomposite membranes at 70 degrees C. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.