Physicochemical Characterization of Nanocomposite Based on Recycled Expanded Polystyrene Reinforced with Clay: Application as Methanol Fuel Cell Membrane

Mbarek Stouri, Imene Bekri-Abbes, and Ezzeddine Srasra

Laboratoire de Physico-chimie des Matériaux Minéraux et leurs Applications, Centre National deRecherches en Sciences des Matériaux, BorjCedria, B.P. 95-2050, Hammam Lif, Tunis, Tunisia

Abstract: In this study, we report the reclamation of expanded polystyrene waste as sulfonated polystyrene/clay nanocomposite and its potential application as fuel cell membrane. The sulfonation of polystyrene has been carried out using H2SO4 as sulfonating agent and CHCl3 as solvent to dissolve polystyrene waste and to disperse the clay. The proportion of clay to the polymer has been varied within 2-5wt%. These nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, AFM, Scan Electron Microscopy, Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and calorimetry. Experimental results obtained from XRD and SEM revealed a predominately exfoliated morphology within the sulfonated polystyrene. From TGA, it has been found that thermal behavior has been ameliorated when incorporating the inorganic phase. The composite membranes showed acceptable conductivity and lower methanol permeability, indicating that this technique could be an alternative for polystyrene reclamation waste.

Key words: waste polystyrene, sulfonation of polystyrene, fuel cell membrane, nanocomposite