Some properties of membrane based on chitosan/phthalic anhydride matrices using montmorillonite/multi-walled carbon nanotubes filler for DMFC application

Fabrication of composite membrane using montmorillonite (MMT)-modified multi wall carbon nanto tube (MWCNT) filler and chitosan as matrices increase the presence of hydrogen bonds which lead to increasing the conductivity and the path of passage of protons. Si-O groups of MMT interacting each other in the membrane forms stronger membrane sturcture and improve the performance of fuel cells. The use of MWCNT as nano filler providing large surfaces for better chemical interactions and reduce the permeability of methanol. The ratio of fillers in MMT used were 0; 2.0; 4.0; 6.0; 8.0 and 10.0%. The membranes were characterized by FTIR, XRD and methanol permeability test equipment. FTIR analysis shows the appearance of Si-O-Si and Si-O-Al bands indicate the successful protonation of the amino group caused by incorporation of MMT-MWCNT. The diffractogram XRD patterns similar to the of all MMT-MWCNT samples. The crystallinity of the membrane increase as the increasing of MMT-MWCNT concentration. The methanol permeability of membrane (8%) demonstrates the lowest methanol permeability, measuring 7.708 × 10^-9 cm² s^-1 and is lower than chitosan-phthalic anhydride membrane at 9,635 × 10^-9 cm² s^-1.