Proton exchange membranes from double-filler of sulfonated titanium dioxide nanotubes and graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets integrated into sulfonated poly(aryl ether sulfone)s

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 94; pp. 13 - 22
• Main Authors: Xun, Xiongrui, Liu, Shouyi, Lv, Jialin, Yue, Chengxu, Wang, Fan, Li, Na, Hu, Zhaoxia, Chen, Shouwen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 11.12.2024
• Subjects: Composite proton exchange membrane; Double-filler incorporation; Fuel cell; Graphitic carbon nitride; Sulfonated polyaromatic polymer; Titanium dioxide nanotubes; Titanium dioxide nanotubes; Composite proton exchange membrane; Sulfonated polyaromatic polymer; Double-filler incorporation; Fuel cell; Graphitic carbon nitride
• ISSN: 0360-3199
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.11.094

Inorganic-organic composite proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are promising substitutes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. To improve the compatibility between inorganic fillers and polyelectrolytes, along with alleviating filler aggregation, a series of composite PEMs incorporating both sulfonated titanium dioxide nanotubes (sTiNT) and graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C3N4) into sulfonated poly (aryl ether sulfone) s (SPAES) have been prepared. The distinct morphology of sTiNT and g-C3N4, coupled with their respective sulfonic acids and amine/imine functionalities, endow the fillers with exceptional compatibility and dispersivity within SPAES. The obtained SPAES/sTiNT/g-C3N4 membranes exhibit superior thermal, size and mechanical stability, robust oxidative resistance, together with high proton conductivity. The SPAES/sTiNT/g-C3N4(1/3) membrane particularly exhibits proton conductivity of 202 mS/cm and swelling below 10% (90 °C), a hydrogen fuel cell output of 512 mW/cm2 (80 °C), which is 1.6 times of the SPAES membrane. The results suggest the great potential of multi-filler compositing strategy for alternative PEMs exploration. [Display omitted] •Sulfoalkoxyl-functionalized titanium nanotubes (sTiNT) have been synthesized.•STiNT and g-C3N4 nanosheets are co-doped into SPAES matrix to prepare PEMs.•1D/2D fillers co-doped PEMs exhibit exceptional compatibility and dispersivity.•Enhanced dimensional stability and conductivity result from co-doping strategy.•SPAES/sTiNT/g-C3N4(1/3) has 1.2 times higher σ and 1.6 times better power output.