(510ay) Phase Separated Proton Exchange Membrane

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) have been developed with high conductivity and low humidity and high temperature operation. Many polymers have been investigated for proton exchange membranes. Anisotropic proton exchange membranes have been developed. The anisotropic membranes are produced by phase separation within the membrane. The phase separated membranes have been synthesized based on hydrophilic and hydrophobic interaction that will create supramolecular interaction. The hydrophilic group is synthesized using sulfonated polyamide (s-PA) and hydrophobic group is synthesized using polybenzimidazole (PBI) and incorporation of pentadecylphenol (amphipile) which will control phase separation within membranes. The supramolecular sulfonated-PA / PDP / PBI composite membrane conductivities are characterized in both the tangential and radial directions. Proton conductivity for this membrane is 3.3 x 10-3 S/cm in the tangential direction and 1.03 x 10-3 S/cm in the radial direction.