A polybenzimidazole solution comprises a polybenzimidazole dissolved in an ionic liquid excluding 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The ionic liquid may be a salt having a melting point less than or equal to 100° C. The salt having a cation (+) and an anion (−). The cation may be selected from the group consisting of: choline, ammoniums, phosphoniums, pyridiniums, pyrrolidiniums, morpholimiums, pyrazoliums, sulfoniums, imidazoliums. The anion may be selected from the group consisting of: halides, bis(triflyl)amide, CF3SO3−, hydroxides, nitrates, sulfates, acetates, cyanates, aluminates, borates, phosphates, phosphorates, alkylsulfates, tosylates.