M. Aparicio, J. Mosa, F. Sánchez
Oct 10, 2005
Citations
0
Influential Citations
15
Citations
Journal
Journal of Power Sources
Abstract
Abstract Hybrid membranes using 1,4-bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene and (3-glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane have been synthesised by polymerization of epoxy groups and inorganic condensation of silanol groups. Sulfonation processes of aromatic rings to produce attached SO 3 H groups are applied to provide proton conductivity. Thermal analysis shows a high water adsorption capacity combining SO 3 − and silanol groups. The measurement of conductivity shows a general increase with temperature, and stabilization at temperatures above 100 °C. This behaviour suggests the presence of two competing trends, one enhancing (thermal activation) and the other reducing (dehydration) conductivity. The water retention properties provided by SO 3 − and silanol groups lead to relatively high proton conductivity (maximum values around 8.5 × 10 −4 S cm −1 ) at 100–150 °C.