Synthesis of GMA / PVA Cast Membrane Reinforced with Alumina for Fuel Cell Applications

Aug 27, 2026

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This work synthesizes a low-cost GMA/PVA proton exchange membrane for fuel cell applications using different glycidyl methacrylate to polyvinyl alcohol ratios. Membranes are reinforced with alumina powder added at ten percent of the mixture, then treated with gamma irradiation to promote compatibilization and cross-linking. Chemical characterization uses FTIR, while hardness, thermal behavior (TGA/DSC), morphology (SEM), water uptake, ion exchange capacity, AC impedance, and AC conductivity quantify performance. Conductivity increases with temperature, supporting suitability for fuel cells.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Proton exchange membranes and Nafion drawbacks

Alternatives using PVA and hybrid inorganic fillers

Role of alumina in membrane performance

Functional role of GMA

Objective and expected outcomes

Synthesis of GMA / PVA Cast Membrane Reinforced with Alumina for Fuel Cell Applications M.M. El-Toony National center for radiation research and technology, Atomic energy authority, Egypt, Cairo, Egypt [toonyoptrade@yahoo.com](toonyoptrade@yahoo.com) Abstract: This work aims to synthesis low cost new membrane applied for generation of environmentally friends energy via fuel cell. Different ratio of glycidyl methacrylate to polyvinyl alcohol were used for membranes casting. Reinforcement of the membranes was carried out by alumina powdered with ten percent of the mixture cast. Gamma irradiation doses were applied on the cast mixture for compatiblization and finally cross-linking. Chemical properties of the prepared membranes were discussed using FTIR while mechanical characteristics were reviewed by measuring their hardness. Thermal behaviors ofthe prepared membranes were studied using thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and morphological structures were investigated via scan electron microscope (SEM) . The membranes' water uptake were performed prior to evaluate their ion exchange capacities. The AC impedances were measured with different frequency values. The AC conductivities reached to 5.2 x 10-2 simon/cm which confirmed the membranes usage in fuel cell applications. Raising up temperature to 80oc increase the electrical conductivity to 9.6 x 10-2 simon/cm which exceed that of Nafion by 62% . Chemical stability of the membranes assured their availability for such application. [M.M. El-Toony Synthesis of GMA / PVA Cast Membrane Reinforced with Alumina for Fuel Cell Applications]. Nature and Science 2011; 9(12):160-172]. (ISSN: 1545-0740). [http://www.sciencepub.net. 23](http://www.sciencepub.net. 23)[ ](http://www.sciencepub.net. 23)[Key wards:](Key wards: GMA)[ GMA](Key wards: GMA), [PVA](PVA), [cast](cast), [gamma irradiation](gamma irradiation), [alumina](alumina), [AC impedance](AC impedance), fuel cell. Introduction Proton exchange membranes (PEM) are key components in many electrochemical processes: electro dialysis, water treatment, energy storage in electrolysers and Redox systems and fuel cells (PEMFC) which have been recognized as promising new energy conversion technologies for clean power sources. Commercially available perfluorinated PEM, such as Nafion®, are commonly used due to their excellent chemical and oxidative resistance as well as high proton conductivity, in the range of 0.1 S cm−1 . However, their drawbacks are high cost and low operation temperature and have motivated researches on alternative proton conducting membranes to the perfluorinated membranes for high temperature PEMFC applications [1,2] As a standard membrane material, Nafion is widely applied for PEMFCs. But when it is operated under low humidity condition, the proton conductivity will decrease with reduced water content due to the shrinkage of the hydrated ionic clusters [3–12] . To enhance the water retention of Nafion® and related membranes under low humidity conditions, many previous works focused on incorporating some hygroscopic oxide particles into membrane matrix [13–15] . Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) membranes have been studied [16–21] Because of the good film-forming property, chemical resistance property and low cost. Also, PVA was used to improve certain properties of other polymers or membranes [22–25] . It is a synthetic polymer with a planar zigzag structure [26], which is water-soluble on account of its elevated polarity. PVA shows great potential for application in the production of biodegradable film, Most researchers have selected inorganic materials by modification methods because the roles of inorganic materials are to improve the water retention in membrane, allowing an increase of fuel cell operation temperature in conjunction with low external humidification conditions as well as the reduction of methanol crossover [27,28] . Recently, Kim et al. [29] prepared a cro

FAQs

How are the GMA/PVA membranes prepared in this study?

Membranes are cast using different ratios of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), then reinforced with alumina powder (ten percent of the mixture). Gamma irradiation is applied to the cast mixture to achieve compatibilization and cross-linking.

Why is alumina used as a reinforcement material?

Alumina provides a large specific surface area, stable pore-related features across temperatures, and supports dispersion and stabilization of the active phase. Its addition helps increase ionic conductivity by reducing PVA crystallinity and increasing amorphous phases.

How is membrane performance evaluated for fuel cell use?

Chemical properties are examined by FTIR, mechanical characteristics by hardness, and thermal behaviors by TGA and DSC, with morphology assessed using SEM. Water uptake and ion exchange capacity are measured, and AC impedance/conductivity are tested at different frequencies and temperatures to confirm fuel-cell suitability.

Aug 27, 2026

Upload by Eden