FLEXIBLE INORGANIC FUEL CELL MEMBRANE

摘要

A solid electrolyte includes an amorphous silica network and phosphoric acid. The phosphoric acid is contained in the amorphous silica network, and is typically in molecular form. The ratio of silicon to phosphorus in the solid electrolyte is about 1:4, and the silicon is in a four-coordinated state. The solid electrolyte is in the form of a dried (e.g., anhydrous) gel. The solid electrolyte may be used in a fuel cell membrane. Preparing the solid electrolyte includes reacting phosphoric acid in the liquid state with tetrachloride compound including silicon and a displaceable ligand to yield a fluid suspension, heating the fluid suspension to yield a liquid electrolyte comprising a particulate solid, separating the particulate solid from the liquid electrolyte, combining the particulate solid with water to yield a homogenous solution, forming a gel from the homogeneous solution, and removing water from the gel to yield the solid electrolyte.