Synthesis and characterization of functionalized silica/SPES composite membranes

Mesoporous silica (MCM-41) has been synthesized via sol gel route. Sulfonation of MCM-41 has been done. Synthesized Sulfonated MCM-41 (S-MCM-41) has been incorporated within SPES (sulfonated poly ether sulfone) polymer matrix to prepare composite membranes. Various concentration of S-MCM-41 has been incorporated into SPES i.e. 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 wt% to synthesize membranes of different wt% of mesoporous silica. FTIR and XRD of MCM-41 and S-MCM-41 were done to confirm the chemical and structural properties. AFM and UTM are used to find out morphology and mechanical properties of the composites. The water uptake and ionic conductivity of the composite membranes increases with MCM content in composite membrane. Mechanical stability of the membrane also found to be increases with MCM content.