In this work, two different polymer membrane systems based on Nafion and Te
flon were investigated as proton conductors for polymer membrane fuel cells
. Water-free Nafion117 membranes swollen with different non-aqueous solvent
s were prepared. The solvents included imidazole, imidazole-imidazolium sal
t solutions, room temperature molten salts and molten salt-acid solutions.
Teflon films were treated with a surfactant, or a Nafion solution, to impro
ve their surface properties, and were subsequently swollen with phosphoric
acid. Conductivity measurements were carried out on both the Nafion and Tef
lon membranes. Conductivities in the range of 10(-3) S cm(-1) at around 100
degreesC were obtained. This is still an order of magnitude lower than the
corresponding water swollen Nafion at 80 degreesC. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scien
ce Ltd. All rights reserved.