Nanoionics Enabled Proton Exchange Membranes

Nanocomposites made from a mixture of nanocrystals and polymer can be used to draw forth nanoionics attributes in materials with a high density of internal interfaces. This approach, when applied to proton transport materials, can enable fabrication of new proton exchange membranes that are critical for energy storage and conversion devices such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and redox flow batteries. Specifically, nanocomposite can be used to realize proton exchange membranes that exhibit ionic conductivity under low humidity and elevated temperature conditions to enable fuel cells that are more efficient, smaller, and more tolerant to fuel impurities. This opens the opportunity to utilize fuel cells with hydrogen to extend the operational range, payload, and reliability for small and medium sized unmanned aerial vehicles.