Proton conductive inorganics foi composite membranes in PEM fuel cells

The main objective of this study is to synthesize new membrane materials in which inorganic proton conductors are deposited within a functionalized and cross-linkable Teflon-type polymer. These new composite membranes are aimed to efficiently conduct protons at temperatures above 100°C and relative humidity (RH) down to 25% in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. To effectively choose inorganic proton conductors, the conductivity studies of different materials are performed in our lab. An experimental system was developed and Gamry Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) was applied to measure the proton conductivity of inorganic materials. Alpha zirconium phosphate was used as a standard to check the accuracy of the present experimental approach. The conductivity of the solid acid sulfated zirconia (S-ZiO₂) was studied. The proton transport mechanisms in inorganic proton conductors were discussed.