Synthesis of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Membrane with Sulfonated Reduced Graphene Oxide and Cerium Filler

The study investigates the use of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer modified by sulfonated reduced graphene oxide (s-rGO) and cerium (Ce) as an alternative membrane to Nafion for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) applications. Pure ABS membranes and ABS membranes with s-rGO/Ce fillers were synthesized and characterized, with sulfonation at 60 °C using filler concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 5% v/v. The addition of fillers aimed to enhance ion exchange capacity (IEC), water absorption, and reduce methanol permeability. The membrane with 5% filler content showed optimal performance, with an IEC of 0.35 meq/g, a swelling degree of 1.5%, and controlled methanol permeability of 1.2670 × 10⁻⁷ cm²/s. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of sulfonate groups (S=O) at 1054 cm⁻¹, indicating successful sulfonation. SEM analysis revealed that the filler was well-dispersed and formed more defined pores without compromising the structural integrity of the ABS matrix. This study demonstrates the potential of s-rGO/Ce-modified ABS membranes as a viable alternative to Nafion membranes in DMFC applications.