Highly Conductive Polybenzimidazole Membranes at Low Phosphoric Acid Uptake with Excellent Fuel Cell Performances by Constructing Long-Range Continuous Proton Transport Channels Using a Metal–Organic Framework (UIO-66)

Phosphoric acid (PA)-doped polybenzimidazoles generally require high PA doping levels to achieve high conductivity as high-temperature proton exchange membranes. However, high PA doping levels result in a significant decrease in the mechanical properties of and PA leaching from the membranes. Herein, a Zr-based metal-organic framework material (UIO-66) was introduced into poly[2,2'-(p-oxydiphenylene)-5,5'-benzimidazole] (OPBI) membranes. The...