Proton Exchange Membranes

Operation and Alternative Proton Conductors 166 3.4 Future Directions 170 References 171Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are a key component in PEM fuel cells (PEMFCs) and an area of active research in commercial, government, and academic institutions. In this chapter, the review of PEM materials is divided into two sections. The first will cover the most important properties of a membrane in order for it to perform adequately within a PEMFC. The latter part of this chapter will then provide an overview of existing PEM materials from both academic and industrial research facilities. Wherever possible, the membranes will also be discussed with respect to known structure-property relationships.