A new membrane composite material that combines an organosilica proton conductor with perfluorinated Nafion material to achieve good proton conductivity and high-temperature performance for membranes used for fuel cells in stationary, transportation, and portable applications has been developed.

To achieve high proton conductivities of the order of 10^–-1·S cm^–-1 over a wide range of temperatures, a composite membrane based on a new class of mesoporous, proton-conducting, hydrogen-bonded organosilica, used with Nafion, will allow for water retention and high proton conductivity over a wider range of temperatures than currently offered by Nafion alone. At the time of this reporting, this innovation is at the concept level. Some of the materials and processes investigated have shown good proton conductivity, but membranes have not yet been prepared and demonstrated.

This work was done by Sri R. Narayan and Shiao-Pin S. Yen of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

In accordance with Public Law 96-517, the contractor has elected to retain title to this invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its commercial use should be addressed to:

Innovative Technology Assets Management: JPL, Mail Stop 202- 233, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099, (818) 354- 2240, E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Refer to NPO-40228, volume and number of this NASA Tech Briefs issue, and the page number.