Sulfonated Polyimide–Silica Composite Membranes: Preparation, Morphology and Proton Conductivity

Nanotechnologies in Russia, vol. 15, pp. 778–784

Abstract

Abstract Sulfonated polyimides (SPIs)/silica composite membranes were prepared via an in situ sol–gel reaction followed by solution casting. SPIs based on 1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether-2,2'-disulfonic acid and 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether have been chosen for the preparation of composite membranes due to their relatively high hydrolytic stability. Membranes varying in degree of sulfonation as well as silica content were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy and impedance spectroscopy. It was found that the thermal and hydrolytic stability of membranes was enhanced by silica particles. Based on the morphological and conductivity data it is suggested that formation of a hydrogen bonded network of silanol groups of silica nanoparticles and sulfonic acid groups of the polymer matrix enhances the proton conductivity via the hopping mechanism of proton transport.

Authors 5

1. Xiaomin Zhu Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

2. Alexey P. Melnikov

   Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology · Lomonosov Moscow State University

   Affiliation as printed

   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

   Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia

3. K. R. Mugtasimova

   Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology · Prokhorov General Physics Institute

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of General Physics, Moscow, Russia

   Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia

4. Alina V. Maryasevskaya

   Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology · Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics, Chernogolovka, Russia

   Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia

5. Dimitri A. Ivanov corresponding

   Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology · Lomonosov Moscow State University · Institut de Sciences des Matériaux de Mulhouse · Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics

   Affiliation as printed

   Institut de Sciences des Matériaux de Mulhouse-IS2M, Mulhouse, France

   Institute of Problems of Chemical Physics, Chernogolovka, Russia

   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

   Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Russia