Rikukawa Masahiro

This paper presents an overview of the possibility and problems of new proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membranes based on hydrocarbon polymers. Due to their chemical stability, high degree of proton-conductivity, and remarkable mechanical properties, perfluorinated polymer electrolytes such as Nafion^®, Aciplex^®, Flemion^®, and Dow membranes are some of the most promising electrolyte membranes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. A number of reviews on the synthesis, electrochemical properties, and fuel cell applications of perfluorinated polymer electrolytes have also appeared. While perfluorinated polymer electrolytes have satisfactory properties for a successful fuel cell electrolyte membrane, the major drawbacks to large-scale commercial use involve high cost and low proton-conductivities at high temperatures and low humidities. Presently, one of the most promising ways to obtain high-performance proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membranes is the use of hydrocarbon polymers for the polymer backbone. The present paper attempted to summarize the synthesis, chemical and electrochemical properties, and fuel cell application of new proton conducting polymer electrolytes based on hydrocarbon polymers that have been made during the past decade.