Impact of SiO<sub>2</sub> Modification on the Performance of Nafion Composite Membrane
Shuangjie Liu, Jialin Yu, Yongping Hao, Gao Feng, Mo Zhou, Lijun Zhao
Abstract
Using Nafion212 membrane and TEOS solution as raw materials, Nafion212/SiO 2 composite membranes were prepared. In the in situ sol‐gel reaction process, a series of Nafion/SiO 2 composite membranes were prepared by varying the reaction temperature and reaction time. The effects of different modification schemes on Nafion/SiO 2 composite membranes were studied using SEM, EDS, TEM, TGA, XRD, and mechanical tensile experiments, among other methods. The results show that Nafion/SiO 2 composite membranes prepared at 3°C exhibit a well‐separated phase structure and excellent water retention properties, with a water uptake of 29.23% and a swelling ratio of 24.25%. These membranes also demonstrate outstanding physical and chemical performance, with a maximum tensile stress of 13.6 MPa and an elongation at a break of 270%. At 110°C, the proton conductivity of the Nafion/SiO 2 composite membrane reaches 0.172 S/cm, meeting the requirements for high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.