TiO sub(2) nanoparticles synthesis for application in proton exchange membranes

In the present paper, suitable TiO sub(2) nanoparticles are successfully synthesized by sol-gel method, in order to utilize the freshly prepared TiO sub(2) nanoparticles for proton exchange membrane (PEM) preparation. Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl sub(4)) is used as precursor and ethanol as a solvent. The optimum and suitable TiO sub(2) nanoparticles were obtained by varying gelatinisation time (4-120 h), concentration of precursor (TiCl sub(4)) in ethanol (2-15 vol%), and reaction temperature (15-35 degree C). The morphology, size and purity of the nanoparticles are investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Optimum results were found at 4 h of gelatinisation time, 10% precursor concentration and 25 degree C temperature for preparation of TiO sub(2) nanoparticles. Thus prepared nanoparticles are found to be suitable for preparation of nanocomposite PEM, and consequently the prepared PEM indicates enhanced properties, such as, higher thermal stability (high glass transition temperature of 184.1 degree C), excellent proton conductivity (0.0822 S cm super(-1) at room temperature) and low methanol permeability (1.11 10 super(-9) cm2 s super(-1)). Freshly synthesized TiO sub(2) nanoparticles are successfully utilized for proton exchange membrane (PEM) preparation. The optimum and suitable TiO sub(2) nanoparticles were 10% TiCl sub(4) in ethanol, 4 h gelatinisation time and 25 degree C reaction temperature. Consequently, the prepared PEM indicates enhanced properties, such as, higher thermal stability (high glass transition temperature of 184.1 degree C), excellent proton conductivity (0.0822 S cm super(-1) at room temperature) and low methanol permeability (1.1110 super(-9) cm2 s super(-1)).