Polybenzimidazole/Porous Poly(tetrafluoro ethylene) Composite Membranes

Construction of Novel Proton Transport Channels by Triphosphonic Acid Proton Conductor-Doped Crosslinked mPBI-Based High-Temperature and Low-Humidity Proton Exchange Membranes

“…Nafion membranes have been extensively considered as one of the most promising proton exchange membrane (PEM) materials, but they are seriously weakened at low RH above 100 °C, and their price is high. − It is necessary to search for high-temperature membrane materials with excellent properties. At present, phosphoric acid (PA)-doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) is widely regarded as one of the most promising HT-PEM materials, on account of its good conductivity at low humidity and superior physicochemical stability. − However, the PBI/PA membrane also has some disadvantages. To obtain high proton conductivity, the PBI/PA membrane requires a high acid absorption to form a continuous hydrogen-bond network. , However, high PA content tends to significantly deteriorate the mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the PBI/PA membrane by reducing the interactions between the molecular chains. , In addition, the PBI/PA membrane also has problems with acid loss resulting in performance degradation. − …”