Synthesis and characterization of sulfonated poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)/sAlO composites as a novel-alternative electrolyte membranes of Nafion.

Fuel cell membrane of Nafion is commonly used as the electrolyte material of fuel cell which has good mechanical properties, but the hydrophobicity reduce its proton conductivity. Thus, the other polymer is used for the electrolyte membrane. A polymer modification of sulfonated poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF--HFP) by attaching sulfonate group and oxide compounds such as sAlO would enhance the proton conductivity. The research is aimed to modify PVDF--HFP via the addition of sAlO or pristine AlO and studying the effect of sulfonated AlO on the conductivity. The research includes AlO particles synthesis, the sulfonation of AlO, the membrane preparation, the sulfonation of membrane, and the characterisation of membrane using FTIR, SEM-EDX, and Four-point Probe Electrical Device Analysis. SEM-EDX analysis explained that the 6% addition of AlO showed denser cross-sectioned membrane rather than the 9% addition of AlO. The highest conductivity achieved can be revealed at the 6% sAlO addition on PVDF--HFP membrane as 2.27 × 10 S cm which is higher than a previous study.