Composite proton-conducting membranes based on poly(ethylene glycol vinyl glycidyl ether)

Composite proton-conducting membranes in the form of interpolymer films are prepared in an aqueous medium from sulfo-acid-modified poly(ethylene glycol vinyl glycidyl ether) and poly(vinyl alcohol). The initial poly(hydroxysulfo acid) is synthesized through the radical polymerization of ethylene glycol vinyl glycidyl ether followed by modification with sodium sulfite via epoxy groups and treatment with a cationite in the H form. The proton-conducting membranes feature improved thermal stability (200–250°C), a breaking strength of 1.0–8.9 MPa, elasticity (a relative elongation at break of 1.0–8.2%), chemical resistance, and specific proton conductivity attaining 10−1 S/cm after doping with orthophosphoric acid.