| abstract |
Electrolytic membrane comprising: an acidic polymer; and a fluorinated acid which is substantially free of basic radicals, wherein the fluorinated acid contains 20 or less acid functional groups per molecule and has a molecular weight of less than 10,000, and which, after rising from 1 ° C to 200 ° C at a rate of increase of 10 ° C / minute and then cooled to 120 ° C within 5 minutes, the fluorinated acid has a cumulative weight loss of about 6% or less, based on an initial weight of the fluorinated acid, while at 120 ° C for a 24 hour period, wherein the cumulative loss of mass is measured during the 24 hour period, and wherein the electrolyte membrane contains less than about 60% by weight phosphoric acid. |