Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of sol-gel modified alternative Nafion-Silica composite membrane useful for polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The said composite membrane is made by embedding silica particles in perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer by a process that circumvents the use of added acid while using acidic characteristics of Nafion and polymerization reaction through a sol-gel route. The composite membrane has high affinity for water with capability to exchange protons. The approach may be used to manufacture polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells operating at elevated temperatures under near-zero humidity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of sol-gel modified alternative Nafion-Silica composite membrane useful for polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The said composite membrane is made by embedding silica particles in perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer by a process that circumvents the use of added acid while using acidic characteristics of Nafion and polymerization reaction through a sol-gel route. The composite membrane has high affinity for water with capability to exchange protons. The approach may be used to manufacture polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells operating at elevated temperatures under near-zero humidity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alternate proton conducting polymer electrolyte membrane and a process for the preparation thereof. More particularly the present invention provides a conducting hybrid polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a stable host polymer and a proton-conducting medium as a guest polymer for its suitability in PEM-based fuel cells. The present invention deals with host polymer, comprising a group of poly (vinyl alcohol), poly (vinyl fluoride), polyethylene oxide, polyethyleneimine, polyethylene glycol, cellulose acetate, polyvinylmethylethyl ether, more preferably polyvinyl alcohol and a guest polymer comprising poly(styrene sulfonic acid), poly(acrylic acid), sulfonated phenolic, polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl acrylate, and quaternary ammonium salt, more preferably poly(styrene sulfonic acid).