1 research outputs found
Enhanced Conductivity in Polyanion-Containing Polybenzimidazoles. Improved materials for proton-exchange membranes and PEM Fuel Cells
In an effort to develop improved Proton Exchange Membranes for Polymeric Fuel cells two different forms of polyanion inclusion
in poly(2,5-benzimidazole) (ABPBI) have been carried out. Namely by (i) sulfonation of pre-formed polymer membranes
and (ii) by addition of inorganic phosphomolybdic acid to form hybrid ABPBI–PMo12 membranes. In both cases we have detected
an increased proton conductivity of the resulting membranes, associated to an enhanced capacity of the polyanion-modified materials
to uptake phosphoric acid (in comparison with previously known ABPBI or even commercial PBI membranes). These new
membranes are stable up to 200 C and feature high conductivities at these temperatures, which makes them promising candidates
for higher-temperature PEM Fuel Cells.This work was carried out within the framework of
the ‘‘Xarxa Temática de Piles de Combustible’’ de la
Generalitat de Catalunya and ‘‘Red de Pilas de Combustible
del CSIC’’ and was partially funded by MCyT
(Spain) (MAT2002-04529-C03). We thank the MCyT
for a pre-doctoral fellowship awarded to J.A.A.Peer reviewe