Solution-blown SPEEK/POSS nanofiber-nafion hybrid composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cells

This study aims to develop novel hybrid composite membranes (NHMs) by impregnating Nafion solution into the porous sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (SPEEK/POSS) nanofibers (NFs). The composite membrane was prepared by solution blowing of a mixture of SPEEK/POSS solution. The characteristics of the SPEEK/POSS NFs and the NHMs, including morphology, thermal stability, and performance of membrane as PEMs, were investigated. The performance of NHMs was compared with that of Nafion117 and SPEEK/Nafion composite membranes. Results showed that the introduction of POSS improved the proton conductivity, water swelling, and methanol permeability of membranes. A maximum proton conductivity of 0.163 S cm(-1) was obtained when the POSS content was 6 wt % at 80 degrees C, which was higher than that of Nafion117 and SPEEK/Nafion. NHMs could be used as proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for fuel cell applications. (C) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.