Anhydrous proton conducting polymer electrolytes based on poly(vinylphosphonic acid)-heterocycle composite material

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) 2005-04, Vol.46 (9), p.2986-2992
• Main Authors: Yamada, Masanori, Honma, Itaru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid–base composite material; Anhydrous proton conductivity; Applied sciences; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fuel cells; Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC); Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2005.02.056

The development of anhydrous proton conducting membrane is important for the operation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) at intermediate temperature (100–200 °C). In this study, we have investigated the acid–base hybrid materials by mixing of strong phosphonic acid polymer of poly(vinylphosphonic acid) (PVPA) with the high proton-exchange capacity and organic base of heterocycle, such as imidazole (Im), pyrazole (Py), or 1-methylimidazole (MeIm). As a result, PVPA-heterocycle composite material showed the high proton conductivity of approximately 10 −3 S cm −1 at 150 °C under anhydrous condition. In particular, PVPA-89 mol% Im composite material showed the highest proton conductivity of 7×10 −3 S cm −1 at 150 °C under anhydrous condition. Additionally, the fuel cell test of PVPA-89 mol% Im composite material using a dry H 2/O 2 showed the power density of approximately 10 mW cm −2 at 80 °C under anhydrous conditions. These acid–base anhydrous proton conducting materials without the existence of water molecules might be possibly used for a polymer electrolyte membrane at intermediate temperature operations under anhydrous or extremely low humidity conditions.