Contribution of nanoclays to the barrier properties of SPEEK/Cloisite15a® membrane for DMFC application

The objective of this study is to synthesis and characterize polymer-inorganic nanocomposite sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) membranes filled with CloisitelSA® clay by introducing 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (TAP) as a compatibilizer for DMFC application. The SPEEK/Cloisitel 5 A®/TAP nanocomposite membranes were developed via solution intercalation method. The membranes were then characterized based on their thermal and chemical properties such as ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake, methanol uptake, thermal stability, proton conductivity and methanol permeability as a function of CloisitelSA® and TAP loading. The SPEEK/Cloisitel5A®/TAP membranes characteristics were then compared with the conventional SPEEK and commercially available Nafion 112 membranes. Overall SPEEK/Cloisitel 5 A®/TAP nanocomposite membranes exhibited high performance and therefore were acceptable as a promising proton exchange membrane for DMFC application.