Enhancing the mechanical properties of zirconia/Nafion(®) nanocomposite membrane through carbon nanotubes for fuel cell application

Membranes are widely used daily, such as for filtration in reverse osmosis, or in the form of electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Modified Nafion(®) membranes were synthesised by impregnation and their mechanical properties were observed. The effect of the incorporation of a ZrO(2)-CNT nano-filler within Nafion(®) membrane on the thermal stability and crystallinity was investigated by TGA and XRD. Tensile test results show the increases in the mechanical properties of Nafion(®) 117 membranes impregnated with ZrO(2)-CNT when compared with that of commercial Nafion(®) 117 membranes. The results also show that adding ZrO(2)-CNT in Nafion(®) 117 membranes improves the water contact angle and water uptake, as it enhances water retention within the membrane. The SEM results indicated that ZrO(2)-CNT was well distributed in the Nafion(®) 117 membrane pores through the impregnation method.