A series of sulfonated phenolphthalein side poly (aryl ether ketone) (SPEK-C)/graphene oxide (GO) hybrid composite proton exchange membranes was fabricated. The effect of GO as a filler blending with SPEK-C was investigated systematically. The results indicated that GO content in the membrane had a great influence on ionic exchange capacity
stability
proton conductivity and methanol permeability. The proton conductivity was enhanced with increasing GO content. Moreover
the proton conductivity of the composite membranes with 2% and 5% GO was all above 10-1 S·cm-1 at 30℃. The composite membrane containing 5% GO exhibited methanol permeability of 6.7×10-8 cm2·s-1 at 30℃
which was one order of magnitude lower than that of SPEK-C membrane. The ionic exchange capacity
stability and water uptake were enhanced
and the relative selectivity reached up to 18.2 times higher than that of the SPEK-C membrane.