Multinuclear NMR study of the effect of acid concentration on ion transport in phosphoric acid doped poly(benzimidazole) membranes.

(1)H and (31)P NMR spectra, line widths, spin-lattice relaxation times (T(1)), and (1)H self-diffusion coefficients (D) were determined for two distinct poly(benzimidazole) (PBI) proton exchange membranes (PEM), para-PBI and dihydroxy-PBI (2OH-PBI), both incorporating varying concentrations of phosphoric acid. The study was performed over the temperature range of 20-180 °C, for phosphoric acid concentrations of 30, 50, and 70 wt %. Of the two samples, less mobility was indicated for the 2OH-PBI compared with the para-PBI at all acid concentrations.