Influence of sulfonated GO/sulfonated biopolymer as polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell application

Graphene oxide is well known as a advanced functional material because of its super high specific surface area, as well as excellent amphipathicity. Sulfonated graphene oxide bio nanocomposite membranes are presented as a potential proton exchange membrane for fuel cell applications. The GO nanopowder was produced from graphite powder by the modified Hummer’s method and then sulfonated by chlorosulfonic acid as a sulfonic reagent. The s-GO-based s-CS/PEO composite membranes were prepared by solution casting technique. The synthesized electrolytes are studied by different characterization to check the electrical and thermal properties of the membrane. FTIR and Raman showed the formation of GO, s-GO and prepared electrolytes interaction between the functional groups respectively. The maximum ionic conductivity of s-Chitosan (s-CS)/PEO/s-GO nanocomposite membranes at 6 wt% of s-GO in the order of 10⁻² S/cm. Moreover, the existence of the intermolecular interactions between sulfonated-CS/PEO and s-GO can improve the thermal stability and interfacial compatibility between nanofiller and polymer matrixes.