Organo-montmorillonites and sulfonated PEEK nanocomposite membranes for fuel cell applications

Montmorillonite (MMT) was modified with 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), dimethyl dioctadecylammonium chloride (DMDOC) and sulfanilic acid (SA). The organo-montmorillonites were used in the preparation of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) based composite membranes for fuel cell applications. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed the improvement of the thermal resistance as compared to pristine membrane. The addition of DMDO-MMT increased in the proton conductivity of the composite membrane. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.