A novel proton-conducting membrane

A family of novel proton-conducting membranes (PCMs) has been prepared from low-cost, thermally stable materials and has been preliminarily characteri zed. These PCMs consist of electronic nonconductive nanosize ceramic powder , polymer binder, and an acid. They have the appearance of plastic, good me chanical properties, nanosize pores (typically smaller then 1.5-3 nm) fille d with the acid, and room-temperature conductivity of up to 0.21 S cm(-1) ( twice that of Nafion). Their thickness ranges from 40 to 400 mu m. These PC Ms are considered to be excellent and low-cost candidates for many electroc hemical applications, including fuel cells, electrolyzers, supercapacitors, sensors, and batteries. (C) 1998 The Electrochemical Society. S1099-0062(9 8)07-021-7. All rights reserved.