Compounds for novel proton conducting membranes and methods of making same

The present invention provides new compounds for use in proton exchangemembranes which are able to operate in a wide variety of temperature ranges, including in the intermediate temperature range of about 100° C. to 700°C., andnew and improved methods of making these compounds. The present invention also provides new and improved methods for making chalcogenide compounds, including, but not limited to, nonprotonated sulfide, selenide and telluridecompounds. In one embodiment, the proton conductivity of the compounds is between about 10−8 S/cm and 10−1 S/cm within a temperature range of between about −50 and 500° C.