A novel SPEEK/PW11V/rGO hybrid film for proton conduction

Abstract A SPEEK/PW 11 V/rGO hybrid film was prepared by a simple method through sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK), tungstovanadophosphoric acid (H 4 PW 11 VO 40 , abbreviated as PW 11 V) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in this work. The results indicate that the Keggin framework of PW 11 VO 40 4 − anion still remain in the hybrid film and confirm the homogeneous dispersion of PW 11 V on the surface of graphene sheet, which results in a better stability of PW 11 V. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows that this film exhibits high proton conductivity of 2.22 × 10 − 2 S cm − 1 at 17 °C and 6.43 × 10 − 2 S cm − 1 at 65 °C (65% relative humidity). Its activation energy value for proton conduction is 18.9 kJ mol − 1 , suggesting that the conduction mechanism for this film is a mix of Vehicle mechanism and Grotthuss mechanism. It is an alternative film material which may be applied in the field of fuel cells.