Novel sulfonated polystyrene-block-poly (ethylene-ran- butylene)-block-poly styrene / graphene oxide / ammonium ionic liquid based ternary composite: An efficient ion-exchange solid electrolyte

ABSTRACT

Novel ternary proton exchange membranes composed of sulfonated polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polystyrene (sPSEBPS), graphene oxide (GO) and ammonium ionic liquid (AIL) were prepared by a facile solution casting technique. The incorporation of GO and AIL into the sPSEBPS polymer matrix enhances the thermal stability and the ionic conductivity of the composites. The ion-exchange capacity of the membranes was found in the range between 0.281 and 1.248 meq. g⁻¹. The sPSEBPS/GO/AIL-20 composite membrane showed a proton conductivity of 0.0353 S. cm⁻¹ at 30 °C. The outcome of the results projected that the prepared polymer composite membranes are viable candidates for fuel cell applications.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• PSEBPS
• fuel cell
• electrolyte membrane
• graphene oxide
• ionic liquid

Acknowledgments

The authors would lilke to thank Nanotechnology Research Centre (NRC), SRM IST, Kattankulathur campus, for providing instrumentation facilities to characterize the electrolyte membranes.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Poonkuzhali Kulasekaran

Poonkuzhali Kulasekaran completed her Master Degree in Chemistry from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamilnadu, India. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D programme in the field of polymer electrolyte membranes for PEMFC and DMFC applications

Berlina Maria Mahimai

Berlina Maria Mahimai completed her Master Degree in Chemistry from St. Joseph College, Trichy, Tamilnadu, India. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D programme in the field of polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cell applications

Paradesi Deivanayagam

Dr. Paradesi Deivanayagam completed his Ph.D degree in Chemistry from University of Madras, Tamilnadu, India. He is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, SRM IST, Kattankulathur Campus, Tamil Nadu, India. His research interests are polymer, polymer composites, electrochemistry, fuel cell and analytical chemistry.