Polymer Solid Acid Composite Membranes for Fuel-Cell Applications

A systematic study of the conductivity of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and composites, containing 0 to 100% , 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 . At high temperature (160°C), the dependence of conductivity on vol % was monotonic and revealed a percolation threshold of ∼10 vol %. At low temperature (100°C), a maximum in the conductivity at ∼80 vol % was observed. Results of preliminary fuel cell measurements are presented. © 2000 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.