New Proton-Conducting PVA/Clay/Ionic LiquidNanocomposite Membranes for AnhydrousFuel Cells

Proton-conducting nanocomposite membranes based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), acid montmorilonitte (MMT-H+) and the protic ionic liquid (PIL) diethylmethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([Dema][TfOH]) were prepared. The [Dema][TfOH] incorporation effect on membrane properties such as proton conductivity was investigated. The structural features of nanocomposite membranes were studied by Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and correlated to the membranes properties.