POLYMER-BASED ELECTROLYE MATERIALS FOR PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS

Polymer-based electrolyte materials that may be used as proton exchange membranes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells are described. The disclosed polymer electrolyte materials can be generally defined by a general 1,3-dicarbonyl repeat unit that may include various side chain and main chain constituents changing the acidity of the C—H proton(s) located between the carbonyl groups. Accordingly, by varying such side-chain and main-chain constituents, the proton-conduction properties the disclosed proton exchange membranes can be manipulated, and methods of producing the same. Methods of producing such polymer electrolyte materials are also disclosed.