| Abstract | Composite membranes were fabricated by the incorporation of zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanoparticles into Nafion 115® membranes using the exchange method in order to delineate their effect on water retention, water permeation and proton transport. Adjusting the exchange reaction time allowed the fabrication of Nafion/ZrP membranes with ZrP content ranging from 7.8 to 25.0 wt.‐%. A decrease in dimensional stability of the composite membranes upon swelling with water, compared to unmodified Nafion, is found and is attributed to hygroscopic ZrP disrupting the hydrophobic cohesive forces in Nafion. Water content and λ values increase with increasing ZrP for low ZrP contents (<20 wt.‐%), but decrease at higher ZrP contents (>20 wt.‐%). This transition is attributed to ZrP particles increasing in size as ZrP content increases until, at contents >20 wt.‐%, they no longer fit inside the hydrophilic pores of Nafion. ZrP disrupts the proton‐conducting pathway in the membranes resulting in a lowering of proton mobility and proton conductivity. However, the permeance of water vapour through Nafion/ZrP composite membranes are found to be unaffected by ZrP. |
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