Proton conducting electrolyte

Abstract

A cationic conductive polymer is described herein which generally comprises a proton donating polymer and an oxocarbonic acid. The cationic conductive polymer exhibits a high conductivity in low humidity environments.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A fuel cell comprising:
 an anode;   a cathode;   and a cationic exchange electrolyte providing proton conductivity between said anode and said cathode, said cationic exchange electrolyte comprising a proton donating polymer and an oxocarbonic acid.   
     
     
         12 . The fuel cell according to  claim 11 , wherein said oxocarbonic acid is selected from the group consisting of Squaric Acid, Delta acid, Croconic acid, Rhodizonic acid, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The fuel cell according to  claim 11 , wherein said oxocarbonic acid is Squaric acid. 
     
     
         14 . The fuel cell according to  claim 11 , wherein said cationic conductive polymer exhibits a cationic conductivity greater than 0.020 S/cm at a relative humidity less than 25% at temperatures in the range of 20° C. to 120° C. 
     
     
         15 . The fuel cell according to  claim 11 , wherein said proton donating polymer comprises sulfonated polysulfone. 
     
     
         16 . The fuel cell according to  claim 11 , wherein the molar ratio between the proton donating acid groups of said proton donating polymer and said oxocarbonic acid is in the range of 0.1 to 2.0. 
     
     
         17 . The fuel cell according to  claim 11 , wherein the molar ratio between the proton donating acid groups of said proton donating polymer and said oxocarbonic acid is in the range of 0.25 to 0.75. 
     
     
         18 . The fuel cell according to  claim 11 , wherein said proton donating polymer is doped with said oxocarbonic acid. 
     
     
         19 - 33 . (canceled)