Effect of hexagonal boron nitride on poly(vinyl phosphonic acid) composite polymer electrolytes for fuel cells

In this work, hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles were used as inorganic fillers, which increase the mechanical and thermal stabilities as well as the proton conductivity of the proton conducting composite membranes prepared by blending of poly(vinyl phosphonic acid) and hexagonal boron nitride. Thermo gravimetric analysis showed that the polymer electrolyte membranes are thermally stable up to 200°C. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated the homogeneous distribution of boron nitride nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. The crystallinity of the membranes was characterized by using X-ray Diffraction. X-ray patterns support semi-crystalline nature of the composite materials.