A Study on Acidification and Intercalation of Illite Clay Minerals and their Potential Use as a Filler in SPEEK Composite Membranes

The acidification and intercalation of illite containing clays were studied for potential use as fillers for sulphonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) composite membrane preparation and future proton exchange membrane fuel cells application. The acidification and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) intercalation of illite clays have been studied by powder X-ray diffractometry, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and thermogravimetric analysis. SPEEK composite membranes were made with 1, 3 and 5% purified, acidified, DMSO intercalated clay fillers. SPEEK/clay composite membranes were characterized by proton conductivity, water uptake, and mechanical strength.