Patent ID: 8101315

Claim:
A hybrid membrane for use in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, composed of at least one basic organic polymer and at least one inorganic polymer, which are intimately mixed at the molecular level, wherein the inorganic polymer is formed from at least two precursor monomers in the presence of a catalyst during membrane formation, wherein an interaction in the form of covalent bonds takes place between the polymers, wherein a first precursor monomer comprises the general formula: R w Si(OR) 4-w , where w=0 to 3, R=C 1 -C 15 alkyl group, C 5 -C 20 aryl or heteroaryl group and wherein a second precursor monomer comprises the general formula (X—R 1 ) x Si(OR 2 ) 4-x , where x=1 to 3, R 1 =—(CH 2 ) y — or —CH 2 O(CH 2 ) y — with y=1 to 5, or C 5 -C 20 aryl or heteroaryl group, R 2 =C 1 -C 15 alkyl group or C 5 -C 20 aryl or heteroaryl group, and X=epoxy, isocyanato, anhydrido, or methacryloxy.