Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of Ni-Al Montmorillonite-Like Phyllosilicates.

This work describes the first hydrothermal synthesis in fluoride medium of Ni-Al montmorillonite-like phyllosilicates, in which the only metallic elements in the octahedral sheet are Ni and Al. X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirm that the synthesized samples are montmorillonite-like phyllosilicates having the expected chemical composition. The specific surface areas of the samples are relatively large (>100 m² g¹) compared to naturally occurring montmorillonites.

Cross-linked sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) by using diamino-organosilicon for proton exchange fuel cells.

Fuel cells are at the battlefront to find alternate sources of energy to the highly polluting, economically and environmentally constraining fossil fuels. This work uses an organosilicon molecule presenting two amine functions, bis(3-aminopropyl)-tetramethyldisiloxane (APTMDS) with the aim of preparing cross-linked sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) based membranes. The hybrid membranes obtained at varying APTMDS loadings are characterized for their acid, proton conductivity, water uptake, and swelling properties.

Proton exchange membranes for application in fuel cells: grafted silica/SPEEK nanocomposite elaboration and characterization.

Hydrogen technologies and especially fuel cells are key components in the battle to find alternate sources of energy to the highly polluting and economically constraining fossil fuels in an aim to preserve the environment. The present paper shows the synthesis of surface functionalized silica nanoparticles, which are used to prepare grafted silica/SPEEK nanocomposite membranes. The nanoparticles are grafted either with hexadecylsilyl or aminopropyldimethylsilyl moieties or both.

Amine grafted silica/SPEEK nanocomposites as proton exchange membranes.

This work presents the elaboration of porous silica nanospheres, eventually amine functionalized, which are used as the inorganic filler in mixed matrix silica/SPEEK membranes. The surface of the silica nanoparticles is modified by grafting (3-aminopropyl)dimethylethoxysilane (APDMS). The two sets of nanocomposite membranes obtained at varying silica loadings are characterized for their proton conductivity and water uptake properties.

Montmorillonite-poly(ethylene oxide) nanocomposites: interlayer alkali metal behavior.

Clay-PEO nanocomposites can have large electrical conductivities that make them potential electrolyte materials for rechargeable lithium batteries, but the origin of these large conductivities, especially for Li-containing materials, is poorly understood. This paper presents X-ray diffraction (XRD), TGA-DTA, and (7)Li and (23)Na NMR data for PEO nanocomposites made with natural (SWy-1) and synthetic (MNTS) montmorillonite clays that provide new insight into interlayer structure. An increase in basal d(001)-spacings demonstrates successful intercalation of PEO in all samples, and X-ray line narrowing shows that this intercalation improves the layer stacking order.