Novel proton conducting composite membranes for direct methanol fuel cell

A novel composite membrane based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with embedded phosphotungstic acid (PWA) were prepared and their proton conductivity and methanol permeability were studied. Infrared (IR) and UV spectrographic measurement indicates that the Keggin structure characteristic of the PW12O403- anion presents in the PVA membranes. Highest proton conductivity of 6.27 x 10(-3) S/cm was measured at room temperature. The methanol permeability of these composite membranes ranges from 1.28 x 10(-7) to 4.54 x 10(-7) cm(2)/s. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.