BORON-CONTAINING POROUS MEMBRANES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

A proton exchange membrane includes a porous structural framework and a boron-based acid group bonded to the porous structural framework. The porous structural framework may be formed of an amorphous or crystalline inorganic material and/or a synthetic or natural polymer. The boron-based acid group may be a tetravalent boric acid derivative, such as a cyclic boric acid derivative, borospiranic acid, or a borospiranic acid derivative. The boron-based acid group may be the reaction product of boric acid or a boric acid derivative and a poly-hydroxy compound.