Imidazolium‐Functionalized SiO2 Nanoparticle Doped Proton Conducting Membranes for Anhydrous Proton Exchange Membrane Applications

Imidazolium surface functionalized SiO2 (Im‐SiO2) nanoparticle doped proton conducting membranes were prepared for anhydrous proton exchange membrane applications. The hybrid membranes were synthesized via in situ cross‐linking of a mixture containing polymerizable oil (styrene, acrylonitrile, and divinylbenzene), protic ionic liquids (PILs), and 1‐methyl‐3‐[(triethoxysilyl)propyl] imidazolium chloride surface functionalized silica nanoparticles. The resultant hybrid membranes show proton conductivity up to the order of 10–2 S cm–1 at 160 °C, which is higher that of the plain membrane (10–3 S cm–1 at 160 °C). In addition, incorporation of Im‐SiO2 nanoparticles could effectively prevent the release of PIL component from the composite membranes.