Synthesis and characterization of sulfonated poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)/sAl2O3 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-co-HFP) by attaching sulfonate group and oxide compounds such as sAl(2)O(3) would enhance the proton conductivity. The research is aimed to modify PVDF-co-HFP via the addition of sAl(2)O(3) or pristine Al2O3 and studying the effect of sulfonated Al2O3 on the conductivity. The research includes Al2O3 particles synthesis, the sulfonation of Al2O3, 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 Al2O3 showed denser cross-sectioned membrane rather than the 9% addition of Al2O3. The highest conductivity achieved can be revealed at the 6% sAl2O3 addition on PVDF-co-HFP membrane as 2.27 x 10(-3) S cm(-1) which is higher than a previous study.