Abstract
ABSTRACTHeteropoly silicotungstic acid (STA)-based, cross-linked hybrid proton exchange membranes for intermediate-temperature (80°-120°C) fuel cell applications were fabricated by incorporating STA in a host matrix of binding silane, SiO2sol gel, ethylene methacrylate copolymer containing glycidyl methacrylate groups (PMG), and molecular cross-linker. The STA loading level relative to the sum of the PMG and a cross-linker exceeded 100 weight%. Upon curing at 145° under pressure, the composite membranes were nearly 100% cross-linked and were flexible, showed high thermal and chemical stability against Fenton’s reagent, and exhibited a break-in behavior during cyclic voltammetric (CV) scans. The best proton conductivity, which was obtained from CV results, decreased from ∼8-15 mS/cm at 80°C and 100% relative humidity (RH), to ∼1.5 mS/cm at 100°C and 46% RH, and ∼0.25 mS/cm at 120°C and 23%RH.
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