Description:
Designing a high-performing amorphous porous framework of the proton-conducting membrane with inherent SO3H moieties in the aromatic chain and impregnating the proton source is beneficial for developing an excellent electrolyte for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). In this work, we synthesis the porous sulfonated poly (ether sulfone) (PSPES) nanocomposite membranes with excellent proton conductivity and stability via modified non-solvent induced phase inversion (MNIPI). The hydroxylated boron nitride (HBN) prepared via simple liquid exfoliation and hydroxylation method from the bulk boron nitride (BN) yielded the few-layered sheets. The direct inclusion of HBN into the PSPES will be anchoring or filling on the microporous channels of the membrane, yielding outstanding stability with HBN retention ability and high conductivity. Thereby shows an excellent synergistic effect between the PSPES and HBN through the functional groups (SO3H-OH), producing the proton transport bridge and continuous proton transfer channels within the porous structure. Besides, the current and power density of the 3.5 wt. % HBN reinforced PSPES (PSPES-HBN2) membranes were improved to 795 mA cm-2 and 220 mW cm-2, respectively. The interconnected microporous PSPES-HBN2 membrane shows excellent proton conductivity of 77.4 ± 3.87 mS cm-1 at 80 °C with 100 % humidity and notably reduced membrane degradation after 120 hrs durability test