Polymer electrolyte membranes and process for the production thereof

The process for the production of a polymer electrolyte membrane, comprises the successive steps of: preparing a mixed solution of a Room Temperature Ionic Liquid (RTIL), at least one alkaline metal salt and a photosensitive hydrogen abstracting component at a temperature in the range 20 to 70 °C, wherein the RTIL is a compound consisting of at least one organic cation and at least one organic or inorganic anion; adding to the solution a polymeric material at a temperature in the range of 20-70 °C; blending the solution added with the polymeric material at a temperature in the range of 70-140 °C to get a uniform mixture; pressing the mixture between two sheets at a temperature in the range of 60 - 150 °C and a pressure in the range of 20 - 80 bar, so that a film is formed; and exposing the film to UV light, so that the polymeric material of the film is cross-linked and the polymer electrolyte membrane is obtained.