The effect of amino‐modified mesoporous silica nanospheres on properties of SPEEK/HPW@Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles proton exchange membrane

Abstract Incorporating acid proton carriers into a polymer matrix is an effective way to improve proton conductivity, but the immobilization of acids is a problem. In this work, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) incorporating phosphotungstic acid (HPW) into sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) improved the conductivity of the proton exchange membrane. Meanwhile, the surface of the MSNs was aminated, and the ion interaction with SPEEK was established to increase the dispersion of MSNs. Composite membranes doped with surface‐modified silica (K‐MSNs) have excellent proton conductivity and conductivity stability. When the K‐MSNs content was 1 wt%, the proton conductivity of the composite membrane reached 243 mS/cm at 60°C. After 240 hr of immersion at 60°C, proton conductivity was retained at 210 mS/cm. Compared with MSNs, K‐MSNs has a large number of amino groups on its surface, which can effectively reduce the loss of HPW.