Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is a viable alternative source of power for both mobile and stationary applications
owing to their high-energy efficiency, zero emission and environmental friendly nature. Conventional PEMFC typically operates with Nafion membrane. In addition to the high cost and the environmental hazards associated with its disposed, Nafion need to be hydrated to be effective proton conductors. This limits their operating
temperature to 90°C and adds further complications to the design of fuel cell stack and system. For these reasons, a material which is capable to operate at temperature above 100°C would be beneficial. Moreover, the higher temperature operation would result in an increase in the CO tolerance of the anode catalysts and extend the range of applications where high grade heat is a requirement. Nano zeolites are potential candidates to be used as proton conducting membrane due to their significant proton conductivity, excellent water retention at high temperatures and molecular sieving capabilities. Surface modification of the zeolite with hydrophobic chains is vital in order to drive the product water out of electrode, and thus prevent flooding. By considering these properties, hence the study and development of amphiphilic zeolite-alkylsulfonic acid
nanocomposite as the temperature tolerant proton conducting membrane has been carried out. Nano ZSM-5 zeolite was successfully synthesized via hydrothermal crystallization of clear supersaturated homogeneous synthesis mixtures free of Na+ cations in just 24 hours at 170°C with the following composition: 1 Al2O3: 60 SiO2: 21.4 TPAOH: 650 H2O. Characterization of the nano ZSM-5 sample by using XRD, FTIR and FESEM proved that the nano ZSM-5 sample was highly crystalline with a particle size of < 100 nm. Amphiphilic zeolite-polysulfonic acid nanocomposite was prepared by alkylsilylation of the surfaces with (3-Mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTS) as organosulfonic acid precursor followed by oxidation with H2O2. The study of this new approach and the proton conductivity testing in laboratory scale by using Impedance Analyzer are discussed.