Nanocomposite membrane for direct methanol fuel cells

A method for synthesizing a nanocomposite membrane, the method comprising:

• preparing Fe3O4-tolylene di-isocyanate (TDI) nanoparticles by reacting Fe3O4 nanoparticles and TDI powder, comprising:
• obtaining a mixture by dissolving the Fe3O4 nanoparticles and the TDI powder in a first dried solvent;
• and
• obtaining an Fe3O4-TDI powder by stirring the mixture under an inert atmosphere;
• preparing Fe3O4-TDI-TiO2 nanoparticles by:
• obtaining a first dispersion by dispersing the Fe3O4-TDI powder in a second dried solvent;
• adding TiO2 nanoparticles to the first dispersion;
• and
• heating the first dispersion under continuous stirring;
• sulfonating the Fe3O4-TDI-TiO2 nanoparticles by:
• obtaining a second dispersion by dispersing the Fe3O4-TDI-TiO2 nanoparticles in a third dried solvent;
• adding chlorosulfonic acid to the second dispersion in a drop-wise manner;
• and
• obtaining Fe3O4-TDI-TiO2-SO3H nanoparticles by removing the third dried solvent;
• preparing a first polymer solution;
• obtaining a second homogenous solution by dispersing the Fe3O4-TDI-TiO2-SO3H nanoparticles into the first polymer solution;
• and
• obtaining the nanocomposite membrane by casting and drying the second homogenous solution.