Heteropolyacids - Chitosan Membranes for H2/O2 Low Temperature Fuel Cells

Flat, free-standing phosphomolybdic acid and mixed phosphotungstic/phosphomolybdic acid chitosan membranes were prepared by in-situ ionotropic gelation process at room temperature on porous alumina support firstly impregnated by heteropolyacid. The polymeric films were tested as proton conductor in low temperature H 2 – O 2 fuel cell. Chitosan/phosphomolybdic acid membranes allowed to get peak power of 60 mW cm -2 , while better results were obtained with mixed membranes, reticulated and functionalized in 30% H 3 PMo 12 O 40 , - 70% H 3 PW 12 O 40 aqueous solution, allowing to measure a peak power of 140 mW cm -2 with a proton conductivity of ~ 2.5 mS cm -1 .