Feasibility of Composite sPEEK-PVA as Proton Exchange Membranes

Abstract

The present work deal with the fabrication and characterizations of composite membranes composed of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) with polyvinyl alcohol and reinforced with cesium phosphotungstic acid (Cs-HPW), graphene oxide (GO), and silica-carbon nanotube (SCNT). Compared to the blank sPEEK-PVA membrane, the uptake of composite membranes in water varies at around 30-50%, while the swelling ratio is increased. The addition of Cs-HPW, GO, and SCNT reduces the tensile strength and methanol permeability. The ionic exchange capacity slightly varies at around 0.48-0.70 meq/g. From the above studies' viewpoint, the prepared composite membranes still need to be reviewed so that these membranes are feasible as proton exchange membranes.