Sulfur, Nitrogen, Or Phosphorus Containing Polymer Patents (Class 429/314)
  • Patent number: 7482388
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, that overcomes disadvantages of the conventional polymer ion-exchange membranes including fluorine-based polymer electrolyte membranes and can maintain cell characteristics even in use over a long period of time (e.g., several thousand hours). The polymer electrolyte membrane comprises a fluorine polymer substrate having grafted thereon monomers having sulfone groups as a cation-exchange group, wherein a main chain of the graft chain comprises a hydrocarbon or a partially fluorinated hydrocarbon, and sulfone groups or substituents having sulfone groups are bonded as a side chain, and wherein in element compositional ratio by ESCA, at least one surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane has O/S value of 5.0 or higher, and a surface element proportion of S is 0.4-5.0%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Tachibana, Soji Nishiyama, Yozo Nagai
  • Patent number: 7471502
    Abstract: Electrical storage devices having excellent low-temperature properties can be obtained by using a quaternary salt (or ionic liquid) of general formula (1) below as an electrolyte salt for electrical storage devices or a liquid electrolyte for electrical storage devices. In formula (1), R1 to R4 are each independently an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbons or an alkoxyalkyl group of the formula R?—O—(CH2)n—, with the proviso that at least one group from among R1 to R4 is the above alkoxyalkyl group. X is a nitrogen or phosphorus atom, and Y is a monovalent anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Takaya Sato, Gen Masuda, Ryutaro Nozu, Tatsuya Maruo
  • Publication number: 20080318134
    Abstract: The invention relates to novel organic/inorganic hybrid membranes which have the following composition: a polymer acid containing —SO3H, —PO3H2, —COOH or B(OH)2 groups, a polymeric base (optional), which contains primary, secondary or tertiary amino groups, pyridine groups, imidazole, benzimidazole, triazole, benzotriazole, pyrazole or benzopyrazole groups, either in the side chain or in the main chain; an additional polymeric base (optional) containing the aforementioned basic groups; an element or metal oxide or hydroxide, which has been obtained by hydrolysis and/or sol-gel reaction of an elementalorganic and/or metalorganic compound during the membrane forming process and/or by a re-treatment of the membrane in aqueous acidic, alkaline or neutral electrolytes. The invention also relates to methods for producing said membranes and to various uses for membranes of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Jochen Kerres
  • Patent number: 7455934
    Abstract: The invention is a material for a solid polyelectrolyte, comprising a multi-segmented fluoropolymer that comprises a block copolymer and/or a graft copolymer, wherein the copolymer contains one or more blocks essentially consisting of segment A and one or more blocks essentially consisting of segment B, the segment A combines with the segment B, wherein the segment A has a molecular weight of 5,000 to 1,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Araki, Noritoshi Oka, Yoshito Tanaka, Takayuki Nakamura, Tetsuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7452634
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polymer electrolyte composition for a rechargeable lithium battery including a multifunctional monomer represented by formula 1, a polymer initiator, a non-aqueous organic solvent, and a lithium salt: where A is one represented by one of formulae 1a, 1b, or 1c; where n is an integer of 1 to 10; R1 to R7 are the same or are independently selected from H, C1 to C3 alkyls, and C?N; and X is a C1 to C20 aliphatic or aromatic carbon, or polyether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Beom Lee, Eui-Hwan Song
  • Publication number: 20080261098
    Abstract: A method for making a proton-conducting membrane is described. The method includes the steps of combining a protonated, layered inorganic material with a proton-conducting organic polymer in a liquid medium; exfoliating the layered inorganic material, so that individual layers of the inorganic material are suspended in the liquid medium and spaced from each other; and the polymer is absorbed onto the surface of the individual layers. In this manner, a polymer-inorganic composite is formed. The liquid can then be removed, to recover the resulting membrane. Related electrolysis and fuel cell devices are also described, which incorporate the proton-conducting membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Patrick Lemmon, Malgorzata Iwona Rubinsztajn, Richard Louis Hart
  • Patent number: 7435496
    Abstract: The invention relates to proton-conducting polymers, including tetrazole-containing polymers. Proton-conducting membranes useful for fuel cell applications are formed from mixtures of a polymer with one or more non-aqueous proton sources. In representative examples of the present invention, tetrazole groups are attached to a polymer backbone such as polyphosphazene, the tetrazole groups interacting with the proton source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen Li, John Muldoon
  • Publication number: 20080248397
    Abstract: An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery includes a non-aqueous organic solvent; a lithium salt; and an additive including vinylene carbonate, fluoroethylene carbonate, and a nitrile-based compound represented by Formula 1: wherein n ranges from 1 to 12 and R1 and R2 are independently a halogen, a hydrogen, or an alkyl group. Further, the alkyl group can be CmH(2m+1), in which m ranges from 1 to 10. The electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery improves storage stability of the rechargeable lithium battery at a high temperature. And, a rechargeable lithium battery including the electrolyte has improved storage stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Euy-Young JUNG, Duck-Chul Hwang, Jong-Hwa Lee, In-Tae Mun, Sae-Weon Roh, So-Hyun Hur, Yong-Chul Park, Jeom-Soo Kim, Jae-Yul Ryu
  • Patent number: 7429428
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte material comprising a polymer having a repeating unit based on an alicyclic fluoromonomer having a carbon-carbon double bond with radical polymerization reactivity, wherein either of carbon atoms at both ends of the double bond constitutes a ring structure; the repeating unit contains a strongly acidic group such as a sulfonic acid group; the polymer is preferably perfluorinated. This electrolyte material has a high softening temperature and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using this electrolyte material can be operated at higher temperatures than before. Furthermore, when this electrolyte material is used for a catalyst layer of a cathode in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, an output voltage of the cell can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Atsushi Watakabe
  • Patent number: 7402361
    Abstract: An ion conductor structural body having a high ion conductivity and excellent mechanical strength, principally comprising is provided. This ion conductor structural body includes (a) a polymer matrix; (b) a solvent capable of functioning as a plasticizer; and (c) an electrolyte. The polymer matrix (a) includes a polymer chain having at least a segment represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are, respectively, H or an alkyl group of 2 or less carbon atoms, A is a group having at least a polyether group, and R3 is a group having at least an alkyl group of more than 6 carbon atoms. The main chain portion of the polymer chain and the side chain portion of the segment have an orientation property. The polymer matrix has a cross-linked structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoya Yamamoto, Soichiro Kawakami, Toshifumi Akasaka
  • Patent number: 7399556
    Abstract: Provided are a composite polymer electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery in which a composite polymer matrix multi-layer structure composed of a plurality of polymer matrices with different pore sizes is impregnated with an electrolyte solution, and a method of manufacturing the same. Among the polymer matrices, a microporous polymer matrix with a smaller pore size contains a lithium cationic single-ion conducting inorganic filler, thereby enhancing ionic conductivity, the distribution uniformity of the impregnated electrolyte solution, and maintenance characteristics. The microporous polymer matrix containing the lithium cationic single-ion conducting inorganic filler is coated on a surface of a porous polymer matrix to form the composite polymer matrix multi-layer structure, which is then impregnated with the electrolyte solution, to manufacture the composite polymer electrolyte. The composite polymer electrolyte is used in a unit battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Young Gi Lee, Kwang Man Kim, Kwang Sun Ryu, Soon Ho Chang
  • Publication number: 20080160417
    Abstract: Provided is a polymer composition containing an oxocarbon and a polymer, further, a polymer composition that the oxocarbon are expressed by formula (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Ken Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20080153005
    Abstract: This invention relates to a non-aqueous electrolyte exhibiting a non-combustibility even under a condition having a higher oxygen concentration, and more particularly to a non-aqueous electrolyte characterized by comprising a non-aqueous solvent containing a cyclic phosphazene compound represented by the following general formula (I): (NPR12)n ??(I) [wherein R1s are independently a halogen element or a monovalent substituent; and n is 3-4] and a fluorophosphate compound represented by the following general formula (II): [wherein R2s are independently a halogen element, an alkoxy group or an aryloxy group, and at least one of the two R2s is the alkoxy group or the aryloxy group], and a support salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuo Horikawa, Masashi Otsuki, Shinichi Eguchi, Hiroshi Kanno
  • Patent number: 7390595
    Abstract: A crosslinked polymer obtained by allowing a polyfunctional electrophilic reagent to react on a nitrogen-containing polymer, an electrolyte containing the crosslinked polymer, and a photo-electrochemical cell having an electrically conductive substrate, a semiconductor layer, an electrolyte layer containing the electrolyte, and a counter electrode. The cell is excellent in photoelectric characteristics and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Wariishi
  • Patent number: 7390336
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Lithium Metal batteries. In particular, it is related to lithium metal batteries containing a polyimide-based electrolyte. The present invention concerns a new concept of polyimide-based electrolytic component having an electrolyte consisting of at least one solvent and at least one alkali metal salt, with specific amounts of solvents, to optimize the properties of conductivity of the polyimide-based electrolyte and the mechanical properties of the polyimide-based electrolyte separator towards metallic lithium anode to prevent dendrites growths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Solicore, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Vallée, Dany Brouillette, James K. Pugh, Wade W. Guindy
  • Patent number: 7387852
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte extends the cycle life, improves the safety, and reduces the swelling of a battery, compared with a polymer electrolyte containing a poly(alkylene oxide) polymer. Also, a lithium battery utilizes the polymer electrolyte. The polymer electrolyte contains a polymerized product from a polymer electrolyte forming composition containing a multifunctional isocyanurate monomer of a particular structure, a lithium salt, and a non-aqueous organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-beom Lee
  • Patent number: 7384996
    Abstract: The invention provides phosphonated poly(4-phenoxybenzoyl-1,4-phenylene), and synthesizing method thereof, an antioxidant formed of phosphonated poly(4-phenoxybenzoyl-1,4-phenylene), a high-durability polymer electrolyte composite formed of a fluoropolymer electrolyte and phosphonated poly(4-phenoxybenzoyl-1,4-phenylene), and a fuel cell in which the high-durability polymer electrolyte composite is used in an electrode thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takumi Taniguchi, Masayoshi Takami, Masahiro Rikukawa, Yuko Takeoka
  • Patent number: 7381501
    Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte includes a polymer having a sulfonic group and shows high proton conductivity in a wide range of temperatures and humidities and is excellent in hot water resistance and chemical stability. A proton conductive membrane is composed of the electrolyte. The polymer electrolyte includes a polymer having a structural unit represented by the following formula (1a) or (1b): wherein A is a divalent electron-withdrawing group, B is a divalent electron-donating group or a direct bond, Ar is an aromatic group, Z is an oxygen or a sulfur atom, X is a hydrogen or a fluorine atom, j is an integer of 1 or greater, k is an integer of from 1 to 4, l is an integer of from 0 to 10, m is an integer of from 1 to 10, and n is an integer of from 1 to 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignees: JSR Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Otsuki, Nagayuki Kanaoka, Masaru Iguchi, Naoki Mitsuta, Hiroshi Soma
  • Patent number: 7354679
    Abstract: This invention relates to ion conducting random copolymers that are useful in forming polymer electrolyte membranes used in fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Polyfuel, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuguang Cao, Jian Ping Chen, Thomas Jeanes, Kie Hyun Nam, David Olmeijer, Helen Xu
  • Patent number: 7347954
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte-forming composition containing (A) a quaternary ammonium salt of general formula (1) below and (B) an ionic liquid can be converted into a polymer without compromising the excellent properties of the ionic liquid, thus enabling an electrolyte having an excellent safety and electrical conductivity and also a broad potential window to be obtained. In formula (1), R1 to R3 are each independently an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbons or a substituent having a reactive unsaturated bond and any two from among R1 to R3 may together form a ring, and R4 is methyl, ethyl or a substituent having a reactive unsaturated bond, with the proviso that at least one of R1 to R4 is a substituent having a reactive unsaturated bond. X is a monovalent anion, the letter m is an integer from 1 to 8, and the letter n is an integer from 1 to 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimiyo Banno, Kanako Yuyama, Kentaro Takagi, Gen Masuda, Takaya Sato
  • Patent number: 7311989
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer membrane mainly made of an ion exchange resin which further comprises melt-spun fluororesin fibers such as fibers made of an ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, a polyvinylidene fluoride or the like, having fiber diameters of from 0.01 to 20 ?m, fiber lengths of from 1 ?m to 10 mm and aspect ratios of at least 5 in an amount of from 1 to 40% based on the total mass. The polymer membrane is excellent in handleability and shows excellent dimensional stability when hydrated, and therefore a polymer electrolyte fuel cell provided with a membrane-electrode assembly having the polymer membrane as an electrolyte membrane has great durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Satoru Hommura
  • Publication number: 20070287069
    Abstract: An organic solid electrolyte comprises a polymer obtained by (co)polymerization of cyanoethyl acrylate and/or cyanoethyl methacrylate, the polymer being doped with an inorganic ion salt. The electrolyte has a high ionic conductivity and is based on a hydroxyl-free polymer so that it may be used to construct a secondary battery which eliminates the risk of gas evolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventor: Ikuo Fukui
  • Patent number: 7306867
    Abstract: A material such as imidazole (nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound), which has at least one lone pair, is dispersed in a basic solid polymer such as polybenzimidazole. The mole number of imidazole per gram of polybenzimidazole is less than 0.0014 mol, preferably less than 0.0006 mol. The basic solid polymer is impregnated with an acidic inorganic liquid such as phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid to prepare a proton conductive solid polymer electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruaki Komiya
  • Publication number: 20070231653
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composite electrolyte membrane comprising a microporous polymer substrate and a sulfonated polymer electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Ju Kim, Chong Kyu Shin, Bong Keun Lee, Seong Ho Choi
  • Publication number: 20070212613
    Abstract: A polymer gel electrolyte, comprising a polymer gel including an aprotic organic solvent, a carrier salt and a sulfur-containing organic compound having at least one —O—SO2— in its chemical structure, for instance, a straight-chain sulfonic acid ester or a cyclic sulfonic acid ester, and a lithium polymer secondary battery using the polymer gel electrolyte and having improved rate performance and cycle performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: NEC TOKIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Ishida, Yasutaka Kouno, Koji Utsugi, Hitoshi Ishikawa, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Shinako Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7267910
    Abstract: A chemical battery, comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a gel electrolyte containing a crosslinked body and an electrolyte, the crosslinked body being obtained by crosslinking at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an epoxy compound having an alicyclic structure and at least one epoxy group in a single molecule and an alicyclic epoxy resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shuzi Hayase, Norio Takami, Hirohisa Miyamoto, Satoshi Mikoshiba
  • Publication number: 20070202375
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane, a method of manufacturing the same, and a fuel cell including the polymer electrolyte membrane are provided, wherein the polymer electrolyte forms an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of a polymer by simple blending of a hydrophobic polyimide having a reactive terminal group and a hydrophilic aromatic polymer having ion conductivity. The polymer electrolyte membrane has reduced swelling properties due to highly dense crosslinking of polyimide through the reactive terminal group, shows high ion conductivity at low humidity, and has methanol crossover suppressing ability. Accordingly, a fuel cell with improved electric and mechanical properties can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Myung-sup Jung, Sang-kook Mah, Do-yun Kim, Jin-gyu Lee
  • Publication number: 20070196714
    Abstract: A polymer membrane, a method of preparing the same, and a fuel cell employing the same are provided, where the polymer membrane includes a porous polymer film having sulfonated pores. The polymer membrane can be prepared easily and economically, has excellent ionic conductivity, and effectively reduces crossover in a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Sang-kook Mah, Young-gyoon Ryu, Do-yun Kim, Jin-gyu Lee, Myung-sup Jung, Jae-jun Lee
  • Patent number: 7258941
    Abstract: A polyelectrolyte for a solid polymeric fuel cell comprising an aromatic polyether sulfone block copolymer comprising a hydrophilic segment containing sulfonic acid groups and a hydrophobic segment having no sulfonic acid group at a hydrophilic segment weight fraction W2 to hydrophobic segment weight fraction W1 ratio falling within a range of 0.6<W2/W1<2.0. The polyelectrolyte for a solid polymeric fuel cell is inexpensive and durable, and its proton conductivity is less influenced by humidity and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: UBE Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuji Hirano, Masayuki Kinouchi, Chizuyo Maeda, legal representative, Daisuke Maeda, legal representative, Megumi Maeda, legal representative, Mitsuo Maeda, deceased
  • Patent number: 7258947
    Abstract: The present invention provides electrolyte that can suppress reduction of battery efficiencies and capacities with increased cycles of charge/discharge of the battery, a method for producing the same, and a redox flow battery using the same electrolyte. The redox flow battery uses the electrolyte having a NH4 content of not more than 20 ppm and a relation of Si concentration (ppm)×electrolyte quantity (m3)/electrode area (m2) of less than 5 ppm·m3/m2. By limiting a quantity of contaminants in the electrolyte, a clogging of carbon electrodes to cause reduction of the battery performances with increased charge/discharge operations can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michiru Kubata, Hiroyuki Nakaishi, Nobuyuki Tokuda
  • Publication number: 20070184323
    Abstract: An electrolyte membrane includes a cross-linked reaction product of a benzoxazine monomer and a cross-linkable compound. The electrolyte membrane is impregnated with 300 to 600 parts by weight of phosphoric acid based on 100 parts by weight of the electrolyte membrane, and has a yield strain 0.5% or less, and a yield stress 0.3 Mpa or less. The cross-linked material has a strong acid trapping ability with respect to the benzoxazine compound and excellent mechanical properties due to a cross-linkage. Also, the solubility of the cross-linked material in polyphosphoric acid is low, thereby showing excellent chemical stability. Accordingly, when the cross-linked material is used, an electrolyte membrane having an excellent liquid supplementing ability and excellent mechanical and chemical stability at a high temperature can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung-jin Lee, Seong-woo Choi, Hee-young Sun, Woo-sung Jeon
  • Patent number: 7238451
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a polymer electrolyte comprising amine groups dispersed throughout the polymer backbone, including various poly(ethylenimine)-based polymers, which enable ionic movement for use in various applications, including for example batteries, fuel cells, sensors, supercapacitors and electrochromic devices. The present invention is further directed to a method for preparing such polymer electrolytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Roger E. Frech, Daniel T. Glatzhofer
  • Patent number: 7226699
    Abstract: A proton conductor and film thereof, electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell, employing same and methods of manufacturing same are provided. The proton conductor material film includes a proton conductor and polyvinyl alcohol as a binder for the proton conductor. The proton conductor film develops a high output by an electrode reaction and has superior hydrogen gas intercepting performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Uetake
  • Patent number: 7220510
    Abstract: Polyelectrolyte membranes suitable for use in a fuel cell are provided as a solid state sulfonation product of particular fluorinated polymers, or alternatively as a fluorination product of particular sulfonated polymers. A sulfonated polymer is provided that contains repeating units represented by structure, wherein the groups Ar3 and Ar4 are independently selected from the group consisting of aryl rings, aryl ring systems, and thiophene rings, and where at least one of Ar3 and Ar4 is substituted with a sulfonate group. Films suitable for use as a polyelectrolyte membrane are prepared from the sulfonated polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J Fuller, Beba Dobulis
  • Patent number: 7220518
    Abstract: A secondary battery which exhibits less deterioration of capacity, can maintain high energy densities in high temperature atmospheres, and has high practicality, and an electrolyte used therefor, are provided. The electrolyte contains an anion expressed by (PFaQbRc)?, so degradation of the electrolyte can be prevented. In the formula, Q expresses at least one of CF3, C2F5, and C3F7, and R expresses SO2CF3 and/or SO2C2F5. a, b and c satisfy 1?a?5, 0?b?5, and, 0?c?5, respectively. Furthermore, an anion expressed by N(CnF2n+1SO2)2? is contained, which can further prevent the degradation of the electrolyte. In the formula, n satisfies 1?n?2. Therefore, the capacity recovery rate after storage and heavy load discharge maintenance rate are high even in high temperature atmospheres, and high reliability can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuo Omaru, Takao Nirasawa
  • Patent number: 7211352
    Abstract: Provided are a composite polymer electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery that includes a composite polymer matrix structure having a single ion conductor-containing polymer matrix to enhance ionic conductivity and a method of manufacturing the same. The composite polymer electrolyte includes a first polymer matrix made of a first porous polymer with a first pore size; a second polymer matrix made of a single ion conductor, an inorganic material, and a second porous polymer with a second pore size smaller than the first pore size. The second polymer matrix is coated on a surface of the first polymer matrix. The composite polymer matrix structure can increase mechanical properties. The single ion conductor-containing porous polymer matrix of a submicro-scale can enhance ionic conductivity and the charge/discharge cycle stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Young Gi Lee, Kwang Sun Ryu, Soon Ho Chang
  • Patent number: 7202001
    Abstract: This invention relates to sulfonated copolymers which are useful in forming polymer electrolyte membranes used in fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Polyfuel, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuguang Cao, Helen Xu, Thomas Jeanes, Kie Hyun Nam, Jian Ping Chen, David Olmeijer
  • Patent number: 7198870
    Abstract: A polymer matrix electrolyte (PME) includes a polyimide, at least one salt and at least one solvent intermixed. The PME is generally homogeneous as evidenced by its high level of optically clarity. The PME is stable through harsh temperature and pressure conditions. A method of forming a PME includes the steps of dissolving a polyimide in at least one solvent, adding at least one salt to the polyimide and the solvent, wherein said polyimide, salt and solvent become intermixed to form the PME, the PME being substantially optically clear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignees: Solicore, Inc., Avestor Limited Partnership
    Inventors: C. Glen Wensley, Alain Vallée, Dany Brouillette, Scott Gustafson
  • Patent number: 7198863
    Abstract: A fullerene-based proton conductor including a proton conductive functional group connected to the fullerene by an at least partially fluorinated spacer molecule. Also, a polymer including at least two of the proton conductors that are connected by a linking molecule. Further, an electrochemical device employing the polymer as a proton exchange membrane, whereby the device is able to achieve a self-humidifying characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Berthold Nuber, Bjoern Pietzak
  • Patent number: 7179560
    Abstract: A composite electrolyte membrane for decreasing the crossover of polar organic fuel and a fuel cell employing the membrane are provided. The composite electrolyte membrane includes a modified silica in which silicon atoms have substituents as represented by formula 1 and formula 2; and an cation exchange group-containing polymer: Formula 1 —R1—SO3X Formula 2 —R2—S—S—R3— wherein, R1 is an alkylene group with 2–7 carbon atoms, X is a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal, R2 and R3 are each independently an alkylene group with 2–7 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-hee Cho, Chan-ho Pak
  • Patent number: 7160648
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte composition for improving overcharge safety and a lithium battery using the same are provided. The polymer electrolyte composition includes acrylate, epoxy or isocyanate at both of its terminals, and includes a compound containing an aromatic group such as thiophene, biphenyl or furan in an amount of 0.1% to 20% by weight based on the amount of the overall organic electrolytic solution. The polymer electrolyte composition further includes at least one of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA), and a mixture thereof. A lithium polymer battery using the polymer electrolyte composition can be suppressed from danger of ignition or explosion when the battery is overcharged due to some uncontrolled conditions, such as failure of a charger. Moreover, an additional cutoff device is not necessary, while still exhibiting good life cycle characteristics of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyeong-Gon Noh
  • Patent number: 7157183
    Abstract: A proton conductor mainly contains a carbonaceous material derivative, such as, a fullerene derivative, a carbon cluster derivative, or a tubular carbonaceous material derivative in which groups capable of transferring protons, for example, —OH groups or —OSO3H groups are introduced to carbon atoms of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is produced typically by compacting a powder of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is usable, even in a dry state, in a wide temperature range including ordinary temperature. In particular, the proton conductor mainly containing the carbon cluster derivative is advantageous in increasing the strength and extending the selection range of raw materials. An electrochemical device, such as, a fuel cell, that employs the proton conductor is not limited by atmospheric conditions and can be of a small and simple construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Hinokuma, Björn Pietzak, Constance Gertrud Rost, Masafumi Ata
  • Patent number: 7153608
    Abstract: An ionic conductor, such as a proton conductor, a process for production thereof, and an electrochemical device, such as fuel cell, that includes the ionic conductor is provided. The ionic conductor of the present invention is formed from a polymer in which carbon clusters having ion dissociating functional groups are bonded to each other through connecting groups which can also include one or more ion dissociating functional groups. In this regard, the polymer is less water-soluble and more chemically stable than a derivative composed solely of carbon clusters, thus displaying enhanced ionic conduction properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Hinokuma, Bjoern Pietzak, Constance Gertrud Rost, Masafumi Ata, Yongming Li, Kazuaki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 7135254
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layered, UV-cured polymer electrolyte and lithium secondary battery comprising the same, wherein the polymer electrolyte comprises: A) a separator layer formed of polymer electrolyte, PP, PE, PVdF or non-woven fabric, wherein the separator layer having two surfaces; B) at least one gelled polymer electrolyte layer located on at least one surface of the separator layer comprising: a) polymer obtained by curing ethyleneglycoldi(meth)acrylate oligomer of the formula (I) by UV irradiation: CH2?CR1COO(CH2CH2O)nCOCR2?CH2 wherein, R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen or methyl group, and n is a integer of 3–20; and b) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of PVdF-based polymer, PAN-based polymer, PMMA-based polymer and PVC-based polymer; and C) organic electrolyte solution in which lithium salt is dissolved in a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technologies
    Inventors: Kyung-Suk Yun, Byung-Won Cho, Won-Il Cho, Hyung-Sun Kim, Un-Sek Kim, Hee-Woo Rhee, Yong-Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 7129005
    Abstract: A battery includes an anode, a cathode, and a polymer matrix electrolyte (PME) separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The PME separator includes a polyimide, at least one lithium salt in a concentration of at least 0.5 moles of lithium per mole of imide ring provided by the polyimide, and at least one solvent intermixed. The PME is generally homogeneous as evidenced by its high level of optically clarity. The battery can be a lithium ion or lithium metal battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignees: Avestor Limited Partnership, Solicore, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Glen Wensley, Scott Gustafson, Craig R. Nelson, Robert W. Singleton, Alain Vallee, Dany Brouillette
  • Patent number: 7118694
    Abstract: A mixture Ia which comprises a composition IIa consisting of a) 1 to 95% by weight of a solid III, preferably a basic solid III, having a primary particle size of 5 nm to 20 microns, and b) 5 to 99% by weight of a polymeric mass IV obtainable by polymerizing b1) 5 to 100% by weight, based on the mass IV of a condensation product V of ?) at least one compound VI which is capable to react with a carboxylic acid or a sulfonic acid or a derivative thereof or a mixture of two or more thereof, and ?) at least one mole per mole of the compound VI of a carboxylic acid or a sulfonic acid VII which exhibits at least one radically polymerizable functional group, or a derivative thereof or a mixture of two or more thereof and b2) 0 to 95% by weight, based on the mass IV, of a further compound VIII having an average molecular weight (number average) of at least 5000 and having polyether segments in the main or side chain, wherein the proportion by weight of the composition IIa in the mixture Ia is 1 to 100% by weigh
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Bronstert, Helmut Möhwald
  • Patent number: 7118821
    Abstract: An organic-inorganic hydrophilic polymer-oxide hybrid proton conducting membrane (PCM) is produced from a host organic polymer, a filler inorganic oxide, and a proton-source with a pKa less than about 5. Usually, the subject invention comprises PCMs containing host polymer-x-strong acid-y-filler oxide, wherein x is between about 1 and about 10 (with “x” as the molar ratio of acid anion to polymer repeat unit) and y?about 50% (with “y” the weight percentage of filler oxide in the composite).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Wenbin Hong, Galen D. Stucky, Ken Tasaki
  • Patent number: 7115333
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a proton exchange membrane comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The proton exchange membrane of this invention is suitable for operating at a temperature over an entire range of about room temperature to about 170° C. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the membrane includes one or more cross-linking agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Qinbai Fan, Hamid Hussain
  • Patent number: 7097943
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a UV-cured multi-component polymer blend electrolyte, lithium secondary battery and their fabrication method, wherein the UV-cured multi-component polymer blend electrolyte, comprises: A) function-I polymer obtained by curing ethyleneglycoldi-(meth)acrylate oligomer of formula 1 by UV irradiation, CH2?CR1COO(CH2CH2O)nCOCR2?CH2 (1) wherein, R1 and R2 are independently a hydrogen or methyl group, and n is an integer of 3-20; B) function-II polymer selected from the group consisting of PAN-based polymer, PMMA-based polymer and mixtures thereof; C) function-III polymer selected from the group consisting of PVdF-based polymer, PVC-based polymer and mixtures thereof; and D) organic electrolyte solution in which lithium salt is dissolved in a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Byung-Won Cho, Won-Il Cho, Hyung-Sun Kim, Un-Sek Kim, Hee-Woo Rhee, Yong-Tae Kim, Min-Kyu Song
  • Patent number: RE40302
    Abstract: Provided are a polymeric electrolyte or a nonaqueous electrolyte that can improve a transport rate of charge carrier ions by adding a compound having boron atoms in the structure, preferably one or more selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following general formulas (1) to (4), and an electric device such as a cell or the like using the same. wherein R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R21, R22, R23, R24, R25, R26, R27, R28, R31, R32, R33, R34, R35, R36, R37, R38, R39, R310, R41, R42, R43, R44, R45, R46, R47, R48, R49, R410, R411 and R412 each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a monovalent group, or represent groups bound to each other to form a ring, and Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd each represent a group having a site capable of being bound to boron atoms which are the same or different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Dai-Ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Nishiura, Michiyuki Kono, Masayoshi Watanabe