Proton conducting polydimethylsiloxane/zirconium oxide hybrid membranes added with phosphotungstic acid

Inorganic polymer based hybrid membranes consisting of zirconium oxide and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) have been synthesized by sol-gel processes. The organic/inorganic polymeric hybrid membranes showed thermal stability and flexibility up to 300 deg. C. The membrane becomes proton conducting polymer electrolyte when added with 12-phosphotungstic acid (PWA). The conductivity of the membranes was measured in the temperature range from room temperature to 150 deg. C under saturated humidity and a maximum conductivity of 5x10-5 S cm-1 was obtained at 150 deg. C