Polymer Solid Acid Composite Membranes for Fuel-Cell Applications

Abstract

A systematic study of the conductivity of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and CsHSO 4 composites, containing 0 to 100% CsHSO 4 , has been carried out. The polymer, with its good mechanical properties, served as a supporting matrix for the high proton conductivity inorganic phase. The conductivity of composites exhibited a sharp increase with temperature at 142°C, characteristic of the superprotonic phase transition of CsHSO 4 . At high temperature (160°C), the dependence of conductivity on vol % CsHSO 4 was monotonic and revealed a percolation threshold of approx. 10 vol %. At low temperature (100°C), a maximum in the conductivity at approx. 80 vol % CsHSO 4 was observed. Results of preliminary fuel cell measurements are presented.