DefinePK

Abstract

Natural zeolite-activated carbon composites are presented as a potential proton exchange membrane (PEM). To improve the proton exchange membrane (PEM) properties of natural zeolites, modification into hierarchical zeolite has been conducted by alkali treatment of desilication method using alkali solution of NaOH. The material was characterized using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). A certain ratio of natural zeolite-activated carbon was casted using hot press to produce a membrane. A series of physicochemical characterization techniques was applied to provide insight into the water uptake, swelling ration, ion exchange capacity, and proton conductivity. Alkali-treated natural zeolite membrane showed higher proton conductivity (7,47 x 10 x 10-3 S/cm) than natural zeolite membrane (5,76 x 10-3 S/cm) which pointing a potential for PEM application in fuel cell.