Preparation and Characterization of Polyimide／Zirconium Phosphate Proton Exchange Composite Membranes

In order to obtain proton exchange membrane with high efficiency and low cost, zirconium phosphate (ZrP) was doped into polyimide (PI) to prepare PI/ZrP proton exchange composite membranes. The chemical structures of composite membranes were characterized through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and the surface morphology was studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Furthermore the thermal stability, water uptake, water swelling ratio and proton conductivity of the membranes were investigated. The results showed that ZrP was uniformly distributed into the proton exchange composite membranes. The water retaining capacity and thermal stability of the composite membranes had been improved with the increase of ZrP content. 
 

In addition, PI/ZrP proton exchange composite membranes can provide stable proton conductive pathways. The proton conductivity of composite membranes increased with increasing of the ZrP content and PI/ZrP 20% membranes exhibited the proton conductivity of 3.61×10－²mS·cm－¹ at 90 degree and relative humidity at 100%．