Synthesis and characterization of solid SiO2/P2O5/ZrO2-PVP membrane for fuel cell applications

Abstract

A novel polymer network membrane composed by SiO₂/P₂O_5­/ZrO₂-PVP was prepared to improve the proton conductivity of PVP membrane. Its physico-chemical properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). XRD data shows that the crystallinity increases with increase in concentration of SiO₂ andZrO_2. Our results indicate the formation and interconnection of ion clusters. It is observed that this new membrane exhibits better proton conductivity as compared to the pristine membrane making them suitable for fuel cell applications.