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The development of proton exchange membranes as electrolytes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells operating at intermediate temperatures has been achieved combining two approaches: the preparation of a cross-linked polymer and the formation of covalent organic/inorganic hybrids. A covalently crosslinked sulfonated polyetheretherketone with elevated degree of sulfonation (DS ) 0.8) was prepared by reaction with HSO 3 Cl (SOPEEK). No degradation of PEEK was detected upon sulfonation, but only cross-linking via sulfonic groups with formation of SO 2 moieties was observed. The extent of ramification was calculated by analyzing the 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of the products and resulted in 20% of the total amount of -SO 3 H groups present in the polymer. The solubility of the -SO 2 Cl precursor in organic solvents allowed easy carrying out of functionalization reactions in homogeneous conditions by lithiation and subsequent reaction with SiCl 4 , thus introducing covalenly linked silicon moieties (SOSiPEEK) at the ratios 1:0.25 and 1:0.50 per monomeric unit. The products were characterized by 1 H and 13 C NMR, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry.

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MxOy nanometric powders (Nb2O5, In2O3, and ZrO2) have been efficiently synthesized at low temperatures with the use of simple precursors and with no acid or base catalysis or stabilizing agents. The powders have been characterized by Thermogravimetry/Differential Thermal Analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The oxides obtained have well-defined crystalline structures, exhibit homogeneity, and crystallite sizes ranging from 9 to 16 nm in diameter.

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