Preparation of sulfonated zeolite ZSM-5/sulfonated polysulfone composite membranes as PEM for direct methanol fuel cell application

Sulfonated ZSM-5 zeolite was successfully prepared by organo-functionalization method using poly (2‑acrylamido‑2‑methylpropanesulfonic acid) and pAMPS. The modified ZSM-5 zeolite was characterized by TGA, EDX and XRD. The results showed that the organo-functional groups were incorporated onto the ZSM-5 surface. The structures of the modified ZSM-5/sulfonated polysulfone composite membranes were characterized by SEM. The SEM results showed a uniform and homogeneous distribution of the modified ZSM-5 zeolite in the sulfonated polysulfone matrix. The existence of the modified ZSM-5 in the sulfonated polysulfone, (with the degree of sulfonation equal to 70.57%) significantly improved the water uptake, proton conductivity, methanol permeability, and ion exchange capacity of the composite membranes relative to the pristine sulfonated polysulfone. •Sulfonated ZSM-5 zeolite was prepared by organo-functionalization method.•The organo-functional groups were incorporated onto the ZSM-5 surface.•Incorporation of S-ZSM-5 into S-PSF increased proton conductivity (9.65 × 10−3 S·cm−1).