Proton conductivity of hybrid membranes based on polybenzimidazoles and surface-sulfonated silica

Hybrid membranes based on polybenzimidazole PBI-O-PhT (a polymer based on 3,3',4,4'-tetraaminodiphenyl oxide and 3,3-bis(p-carboxyphenyl)phthalide) were obtained by casting with silica particles with the surface modified by sulfonic groups. The morphology, thermal stability, proton conductivity under various conditions, and hydrogen permeability of the obtained membranes were investigated. It was shown that modification with small amounts of silica (2-5%) increases the conductivity and practically has no influence on the gas permeability of the hybrid membranes.