The transport properties of polymer nanocomposite membranes (PNMs) of sulfonated poly(styrene–isobutylene–styrene) (SIBS) and phosphonated single-walled carbon nanotubes (P-SWCNT) were prepared for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. The PNMs were evaluated as a function of sulfonation level (0–90.3%) and P-SWCNT loadings (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 wt%). The phosphonated material was incorporated to the functionalized polymer matrix to enhance the water retention and proton conductivity of sulfonated SIBS, while aiming to block the transport of methanol through the resulting membrane. A comprehensive materials characterization study (<i>e.g., </i>FT-IR, TGA, AFM, SAXS) was performed to understand the effect of the P-SWCNT on the resulting PNMs.<br/>

Effect of phosphonated single-walled carbon nanotubes on the transport properties of sulfonated poly(styrene–isobutylene–styrene) membranes

254th National Meeting (2017)

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