Preparation and characterization of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone)/phosphated zirconia nanoparticles composite proton-conducting membranes

Proton-conducting membranes of organic-inorganic (sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone)/phosphated zirconia nanoparticles) composite were prepared by incorporating various ratios of phosphated zirconia nanoparticles (ZP) in sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK). SPEEK/ZP showed an improvement of properties compared with those of the parent SPEEK membrane. Key amongst these is increased proton conductivity to 0.02 S cm^-1, reduced water uptake to 22 % and reduced methanol permeability to 1.13 × 10^-7 cm² s^-1. The methanol permeability was decreased by 28 % compared with SPEEK membrane. It was decreased by one order of magnitude compared with commercial Nafion® 117 (1.39 × 10^-6 cm ² s^-1).