Proton-conducting membrane composed of sulfonated polystyrene microspheres, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(vinylidene fluoride)

Abstract

A new type of proton exchange membrane (PEM) consisting of polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA) latexes, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) has been prepared. The PEM can attain 10-2 S/cm of the proton conductivity at room temperature, which is greater than what Nafion®-117 offers. An investigation into the morphology and thermal behaviour of the resulting tri-component matrixes has been carried out. The results propose the possibility that PSSA-PVP and PVDF-PVP are the two types of Lewis acid-base pairs existing in the matrixes. The acid-base interactions play a role in facilitating proton transport as well as maintaining dimensional stability of the membrane in hydrated state. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.