A New Ionomer Based on Novel PolyPOM Materials

摘要

The heteropoly acids (HPAs) are a class of inorganic oxides that have some of the highest solid state proton conductivities known at room temperature. At elevated temperatures proton diffusion coefficients in these crystalline materials increase, but, not all the protons are mobile resulting in a decrease of the observed proton conductivity. The proton conductivity in these materials is heavily dependant on the hydration state of the HPA. In order to develop new PEMs based on the HPAs for elevated temperature, dry operation, it will be necessary to both immobilize the HPA and ensure that all of the protons are mobile all of the time. If both these objectives can be obtained a new class of PEMs will be developed that could facilitate the use of PEM fuel cells in automotive applications. We have created a new class of PEM by polymerizing HPA monomers with appropriate co-monomers to produce films with unique proton conducting properties.