High Temperature, Low Humidity Proton Exchange Membrane Based on an Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Structure

Abstract

A high temperature and low humidity composite membrane consisting of and sulfonated polystyrene--poly(ethylene/butylene)--polystyrene (sSEBS) as inorganic and organic materials, respectively, was prepared and characterized. A homogeneous distribution of the particles in the matrix was accomplished in the thickness range of , providing an elongation at break above 400%, which is approximately two times higher than that for Nafion. Moreover, moderate proton conductivities of sSEBS improved proton transfer between the particles in the matrix, resulting in a proton conductivity of approximately at without any humidification, which is 3 or more orders of magnitude higher than that for Nafion under the same conditions.