Original Fuel-Cell Membranes from Crosslinked Terpolymers via a Sol-Gel Strategy

Hybrid organic/inorganic membranes that include a functionalized (-SO(3)H), interconnected silica network, a non-porogenic organic matrix, and a-SO(3)H-functionalized terpolymer are synthesized through a sol gel-based strategy. The use of a novel crosslinkable poly(vinylidene fluoride-ter-perfluoro(4-methyl-3,6-dioxaoct-7-ene sulfonyl fluoride)-ter-vinyltriethoxysilane) (poly(VDF-ter-PFSVE-ter-VTEOS)) terpolymer allows a multiple tuning of the different interfaces to produce original hybrid membranes with improved properties. The synthesized terpolymer and the composite membranes are characterized, and the proton conductivity of a hybrid membrane in the absence of the terpolymer is promising, since 8 mS cm(-1) is reached at room temperature, immersed in water, with an experimental ion-exchange-capacity (IEC(exp)) value of 0.4 meq g(-1). Furthermore, when the composite membranes contain the interfaced terpolymer, they exhibit both a higher proton conductivity (43 mS cm(-1) at 65 degrees C under 100% relative humidity) and better stability than the standard hybrid membrane, arising from the occurrence of a better interface between the inorganic silica and the poly[(vinylidene fluoride). co-hexafluoropropylene] (poly(VDF-co-HFP)) copolymer network. Accordingly, the hybrid SiO(2)-SP(3)H/terpolymer/poly(VDF-co-HFP) copolymer membrane has potential use as an electrolyte in a polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cell operating at intermediate temperatures.