Functionalized ORMOSIL-based hybrid membranes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) with a high degree of sulfonation (DS = 0.9) was mixed with a modified silane bearing a sulfonic acid function (sulfonated diphenylsilanediole, SDPDO).Homogeneous composite membranes with several SPEEK:SDPDO ratios, were obtained. The addition of the ormosil significantly improved the water uptake and solubility properties of pure SPEEK.The structural and electrochemical characteristics of the composite membranes were investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TG), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The conductivity values of the composites SPEEK/SDPDO demonstrated that they possess good proton transport characteristics, thus being suitable for application in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells operating at intermediate temperature