JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, v.127, no.31, pp.10824 - 10825
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 10 5 times greater than those of poly(4-vinylimidazole) in dry air at 50-150 °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.