Construction of continuous proton transport channels in SPEEK using porous titanium dioxide nanotubes

Due to its adaptable performance and industrial manufacturing, sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) is suitable for proton exchange membrane (PEM). Organica-inorganic composite membrane was suggested as a way to further enhance its performance. By combining different weights of titanium (IV) oxide acetylacetonate (TiOacac) with polyacrylonitrile (PAN), a PAN/TiOacac solution was created that could then be used to create PAN/TiOacac nanofiber. After the nanofiber has been calcined, TNT-10, TNT-30, and TNT-50 can be produced. Following the incorporation of these three types of TNT into the SPEEK matrix, the solution-casting approach allowed for the simple development of the TNT/SPEEK membrane. The composite membrane of 1%TNT-10/SPEEK and 1%TNT-50/SPEEK was discontinuous and inefficient due to the loose and abundant titanium dioxide in TNT-10 and TNT-50, respectively. While it was compact for TNT-30 with premium performance, so 1%TNT-30/SPEEK would form continuous proton transport channels in PEM and have an interaction between TNT-30 and SPEEK matrix, which was confirmed by FTIR, TEM and XPS. To create a high-performance PEM, it is necessary to develop a continuous proton transport channel. [Display omitted] •Three kinds of TNT was fabricated after calcination PAN/TiOacac nanofiber.•TNT/SPEEK membrane was achieved with higher proton conductivity and stability.•Continuous proton transport channel was constructed in TNT-30/SPEEK membrane.