The conductivity of mixtures of phosphoric acid with poly(ethylene imi
ne) has been studied, and it was found that the conductivity of such m
ixtures with high acid content can be enhanced by the addition of high
ly dispersed silica (fumed silica). At the same time, silica addition
increases the stiffness of the polymer, and macroscopically solid comp
osites with good proton conductivity can be obtained, without signific
ant degradation of the optical transparency of the polymer electrolyte
.