LAUSR

Abstract Phosphotungstic acid (HPW) has a good potential as nanofillers in nanocomposite proton exchange membrane with the prerequisite of solving the leakage issue. It is immobilized onto mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (mg-C3N4) nanosheets surface, and then incorporated into sulfonated poly (aryl ether sulfone) (SPAES) membrane. Structures of the HPW/mg-C3N4 nanocomposites and corresponding SPAES/HPW/mg-C3N4 membranes are characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Fundamental properties and fuel cell performance of the fabricated nanocomposite membranes, and the leakage of HPW are investigated. Along with the highly suppressed HPW leakage, the SPAES/HPW/mg-C3N4 membranes show improved dimensional stability, water affinity and physicochemical stability, as well as better proton conductivity and fuel cell performance. At 80 °C and 60–100% RH, the SPAES/HPW/mg–C3N4–1.5 membrane exhibits 2–3.6 times peak power densities (354.9–584.2 mW/cm2) of the pristine SPAES membrane, and proton conductivity of 203 mS/cm, dimensional change less than 7.5% and weight loss of 1.4% in Fenton oxidation test at 80 °C.