Promotion of proton conduction in polymer electrolyte membranes by 1H-1,2,3-triazole

Zhen Zhou; Siwen Li; Yuelan Zhang; Meilin Liu; Wen Li

doi:10.1021/ja052280u

Promotion of proton conduction in polymer electrolyte membranes by 1H-1,2,3-triazole

J Am Chem Soc. 2005 Aug 10;127(31):10824-5. doi: 10.1021/ja052280u.

Authors

Zhen Zhou¹, Siwen Li, Yuelan Zhang, Meilin Liu, Wen Li

Affiliation

¹ School of Materials Science and Engineering, and School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0245, USA.

PMID: 16076176
DOI: 10.1021/ja052280u

Abstract

We report 1H-1,2,3-triazole as an active group to dramatically enhance proton conduction in a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM). The conductivities of a poly(4-vinyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole) membrane without any acidic dopants are about 105 times greater than those of poly(4-vinylimidazole) in dry air at 50-150 degrees C. Polymers with groups promoting proton conduction attached to the backbone have great potential to offer excellent mechanical properties and long-term stability. Further, 1H-1,2,3-triazole and PEMs containing 1H-1,2,3-triazole are stable in a wide potential range, implying excellent electrochemical stability under fuel cell operating conditions.