Phosphonic Acid Based Proton Exchange Membrane

Phosphonic acid based fuel cell membranes show promise for making polymer electrolyte membranes that can operate at higher temperatures, >100C and low relative humidity. A copolymer of vinyl phosphonic acid with vinyl zirconium phosphonate has been synthesized into a clear, flexible, amorphous membrane. Chemical characterization has been accomplished using EDX, FTIR and CPMAS NMR. XRD and SAXS have been used to confirm an amorphous nature. EIS and PFGSE NMR have been used to characterize the ionic transport through the membrane on different length scales.