Synthesis and Characterization of SPEEK/Layered Double Hydroxide Polymer Nanocomposite for Fuel Cell Applications

The development of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)-based (SPEEK) membranes by the incorporation of layered double hydroxide(LDH) as inorganic nano filler has been achieved and its potential application in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) has been investigated. The physical properties and proton conductivity of SPEEK matrix incorporated layered double hydroxide(LDH) were analyzed and found that the incorporation of LDH to SPEEK improves the thermal stability, water uptake and proton conductivity compared to the virgin SPEEK. The proton conductivity of the SPEEK/LDH composite membrane containing 3 wt% LDH has been found to be 229.9 mS/cm where as the virgin SPEEK shows the proton conductivity value 147.6 ms/cm at 80 degrees C and 100 %RH.