Ultrasonic irradiation to modify the functionalized bionanocomposite in sulfonated polybenzimidazole membrane for fuel cells applications and antibacterial activity.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY 2018;
42:260-270. [PMID:
29429669 DOI:
10.1016/j.ultsonch.2017.11.032]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In this article the new proton exchange membranes were prepared from sulfonated polybenzimidazole (s-PBI) and various amounts of sulfonated titania/cellulose nanohybrids (titania/cellulose-SO3H) via ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic irradiation effectively changes the rheology and the glass transition temperature and the crystallinity of the composite polymer. Ultrasonic irradiation has a very strong mixing and dispersion effect, much stronger than conventional stirring, which can improve the dispersion of titania/cellulose-SO3H nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. The strong -SO3H/-SO3H interaction between s-PBI chains and titania/cellulose-SO3H hybrids leads to ionic cross-linking in the membrane structure, which increases both the thermal stability and methanol resistance of the membranes. After acid doping with phosphoric acid, s-PBI/titania/cellulose-SO3H nanocomposite membranes exhibit depressions on methanol permeability and enhancements on proton conductivity comparing to the pristine s-PBI membrane. The chemical structure of the functionlized titania was characterized with FTIR, and energy-dispersive X-ray. Imidazole and sulfonated groups on the surface of modified nanoparticles forming linkages with s-PBI chains, improved the compatibility between s-PBI and nanoparticles, and enhanced the mechanical strength of the prepared nanocomposite membranes. From SEM and TEM analysis could explain the homogeneous dispersion of titania/cellulose-SO3H in nanocomposite membranes. Moreover, the membranes exhibited excellent antibacterial activities against S. aureus and E. coli. A.
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