A proton conductor is an electrolyte in which movable hydrogen ions (protons) are the primary charge carriers.

Proton conductors are usually composed of polymer or ceramic where the pore size is very small; so small that larger negative ions are locked into the solid matrix, and only very small ions (positive hydrogen ions — bare protons) can participate in a direct current.

Proton conductors are usually solid materials. When in the form of thin membranes, proton conductors are an essential part of small, inexpensive fuel cells.

Water as ice is one example of a common proton conductor, albeit a poor one. Lecture on Proton conduction, stoichiometry — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

See also

• Electrical conduction
• Proton exchange membrane

References