Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) which has a high level of power generation performance under a low humidified condition and a high level of production efficiency, and further, a manufacturing method of such an MEA and a fuel cell having such an MEA. The present invention includes forming first electrode catalyst layer 2, forming polymer electrolyte layer 1 on the first electrode catalyst layer 2 in such a way that a cross sectional surface of the first electrode catalyst layer 2 is also covered with the polymer electrolyte layer 1, and forming second electrode catalyst layer 3 on the polymer electrolyte layer 1 in such a way that a cross sectional surface of the second electrode catalyst layer 3 is covered with the polymer electrolyte layer 1.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, anode catalyst layers, and cathode catalyst layers provided counter to the anode catalyst layers, respectively. An insulating layer is provided on the electrolyte membrane between adjacent anode catalyst layers. An insulating layer is provided on the electrolyte membrane between adjacent cathode catalyst layers. The resistivity of the insulating layer is preferably identical to or higher than that of the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluororesin-coated polymer film for reinforcing a polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the fluororesin-coated polymer film is fabricated by forming on at least one side of a polymer film a coating of a reaction product of (A) a fluorine-containing copolymer composed of a fluoroolefin, a cyclohexyl group-containing acrylic ester, and a hydroxyl group-containing vinyl ether, and (B) a crosslinking agent having two or more isocyanate groups. The polymer film according to the present invention not only exhibits sufficiently high initial adhesion strength, with respect to the polymer electrolyte membrane, but also retains thereafter high adhesion strength in actual operating environments.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of at least one mineral filler functionalized by at least one group comprising at least one sulfur atom for chemically stabilizing a polymer matrix and/or for increasing the durability thereof. The present invention also concerns a membrane such as an ion exchange membrane and in particular a proton exchange membrane thus stabilized, its method of preparation and uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode catalyst comprising: (a) a support; (b) metal catalyst particles supported on the support and formed of a catalytically active metal or metal-containing alloy; and (c) an anti-coarsening compound, which is dispersed in at least one region selected from the group consisting of interstitial spaces among the catalyst particles and contact sites between the support and the catalyst particles, and has a coarsening temperature higher than that of the catalyst. A method for preparing the electrode catalyst is also disclosed.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell including a first substrate and a second substrate and a catalyst layer between the first substrate and the second substrate is provided, where the first substrate is a polymer electrolyte membrane and the second substrate is a electrode substrate, or the first substrate is the electrode substrate and the second substrate is the polymer electrolyte membrane. The catalyst layer has a h1/t1 ratio of about 0.5 or more, where s1 represents a point on the first substrate at one end of the catalyst layer, h1 represents a distance between the first substrate and the second substrate, s2 represents a point on the first substrate closest to s1 at which a height (h) of the catalyst layer becomes h1, and t1 represents the distance between the s1 and the s2. The membrane-electrode assembly can include a greater amount of catalyst by decreasing a shadow effect, and thereby increasing its energy density.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention includes a membrane-electrode assembly (5) and separators (6A and 6B). Each of the electrodes (4A and 4B) includes a catalyst layer (2A, 2B) and a gas diffusion layer (3A, 3B). One main surface of the catalyst layer contacts the polymer electrolyte membrane (1). The separator (6A) includes a peripheral portion (16A) and a portion (26A) other than the peripheral portion. The peripheral portion (16A) of the separator (6A) is formed in an annular shape when viewed from a thickness direction of the separator (6A) and is a region including a portion located on an inner side of the outer periphery of the separator (6A). The separator (6A) is configured such that a porosity of the peripheral portion (16A) is higher than that of the portion (26A) other than the peripheral portion.

Abstract: A composition including a compound represented by Formula 1, an azole-based polymer, and at least one of compounds represented by Formula 2-7 according to the specification, a composite obtained from the composition, an electrode and electrolyte for a fuel cell that include the composition or the composite, and a fuel cell including the electrode or the electrolyte membrane: M11-aM2aPxOy??Formula 1 wherein, in Formula 1, M1 is a tetravalent element; M2 is at least one selected from the group including a monovalent element, a divalent element, and a trivalent element; 0?a<1; x is a number from 1.5 to 3.5; and y is a number from 5 to 13.

Abstract: Polymers having an improved ability to entrain water are characterized, in some embodiments, by unusual humidity-induced phase transitions. The described polymers (e.g., hydrophilically functionalized block copolymers) have a disordered state and one or more ordered states (e.g., a lamellar state, a gyroid state, etc.). In one aspect, the polymers are capable of undergoing a disorder-to-order transition while the polymer is exposed to an increasing temperature at a constant relative humidity. In some aspects the polymer includes a plurality of portions, wherein a first portion forms proton-conductive channels within the membrane and wherein the channels have a width of less than about 6 nm. The described polymers are capable of entraining and preserving water at high temperature and low humidity. Surprisingly, in some embodiments, the polymers are capable of entraining greater amounts of water with the increase of temperature. The polymers can be used in Polymer Electrolyte Membranes in fuel cells.

Abstract: An ion-conductive polymer composite membrane is provided which has both high gas barrier properties and high protonic conductivity. The ion-conductive polymer composite membrane includes an ion-conductive polymer and ion-conductive materials. The ion-conductive materials each include i) an inorganic layered structure including a plurality of layers formed of an inorganic compound and ii) a sulfobetaine-type or hydroxysulfobetaine-type ampholytic surfactant. The ampholytic surfactant is present between the layers formed of an inorganic compound. The present invention further provides a membrane-electrode assembly and a fuel cell which use the ion-conductive polymer composite membrane, and a process for producing the ion-conductive polymer composite membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte that provides high proton conductivity and low fuel crossover at the same time, as well as a member using the same. The embodiments of the invention can achieve high output and high energy density in the form of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. A polymer electrolyte comprising a proton conductive polymer (A) and a polymer (B) which is different from (A) wherein a ratio of the amount of unfreezable water, represented by formula (S1), in said polymer electrolyte is no less than 40 wt % and no greater than 100 wt % is disclosed. The ratio of amount of unfreezable water (S1)=(amount of unfreezable water)/(amount of low melting point water+amount of unfreezable water)×100 (%).

Abstract: Ionomers comprising ionic groups such as, for example, tetraalkylammonium groups and methods of making such ionomers. For example, the ionomers can be produced by ring opening metathesis polymerization of alkene-containing monomers with tetraalkylammonium groups and, optionally, alkene-containing monomers without tetraalkylammonium groups. The ionomers can be used in applications such as, for example, fuel cell applications.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for fuel cells, the electrolyte membrane including a polymer film and a polymerization product of a composition comprising i) a plurality of inorganic particles surface-treated with a surface treatment agent including the polymerizable double bonds and ii) a polymerizable acid monomer, wherein the inorganic particles and the polymerizable acid monomer are impregnated within the polymer film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfonic acid group-containing polymer excellent in ion conductivity and durability, a method for producing the same, a resin composition containing the sulfonic acid group-containing polymer, a polymer electrolyte membrane, a polymer electrolyte membrane/electrode assembly, and a fuel cell. The sulfonic acid group-containing polymer of the present invention, in a first embodiment, includes a constituent represented by the following chemical formula 1: wherein X represents hydrogen or a monovalent cation species; Y represents a sulfone group or a ketone group; and n represents an arbitrary integer not less than 2.

Abstract: A cathode catalyst includes a carrier including Mo, S, and I, and an active metal supported on the carrier and including a material selected from the group consisting of Ru, Pt, Rh, and combinations thereof. It is shown that such a catalyst for a cathode has improved activity over platinum catalysts.

Abstract: A composition including a cross-linkable compound and at least one selected from compounds represented by Formula 1, a composite obtained from the composition, an electrode including the composition or the composite, a composite membrane including the composite, and a fuel cell including the composite membrane, wherein, in Formula 1, a and R are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells, comprising a polymer matrix of at least one basic polymer and one or more doping agents, wherein particles containing ionogenic groups and having a mean particle diameter in the nanometer range are embedded in the polymer matrix and the particles containing ionogenic groups are distributed homogeneously in the polymer matrix in a concentration of less than 50% relative to the weight of the polymer matrix, as well as to the production and use of same, especially in high-temperature fuel cells.

Abstract: An electrolyte having a structure where a fluorinated hydrophilic segment A represented by -E2-[Rf-E1]m- and a hydrocarbon hydrophobic segment B are alternately bonded to each other through chemical bond and a production process therefor, and an electrolyte membrane, a production process therefor, a catalyst layer and a fuel cell using the same. Rf is a linear or a branched perfluoro chain having one or more carbon atoms, E1, and E2 are each a proton conductive portion represented by Formula —(CONM)i1(CO)i2(SO2NM)i3(SO2)i4— (0?i1, 0?i2?1, 0?i3, 0?i4?1, 0<i1+i3, i1 to i4 are each an integer, and M is proton, alkali metal, or alkali earth metal), 2?m (m is an integer), and Rf, E1, and E2 may be each arbitrarily selected in the repeating unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell membrane comprising an anion exchange membrane that contains a hydrocarbon-based anion exchange resin, wherein the water permeability at 25° C. is 1400 g m?2 hr?1 or greater, the anion exchange capacity is 0.2 to 5.0 mmol·g?1, the percentage of water content at 25° C. is 7% by weight or greater, and the thickness is 3 to 50 ?m. It is especially preferable as a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell membrane when said anion exchange membrane is an ion exchange membrane with a 5 to 15 ?m-thick porous membrane substrate, wherein the voids in said porous membrane are filled with a hydrocarbon-based anion exchange resin.

Abstract: A novel method of altering extruded membrane films for PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cells in such a manner that the membrane films swell substantially uniformly in both the in-plane x and y directions when immersed in water or ionomer solution is disclosed. The invention includes cutting a membrane film from an extruded membrane sheet in a diagonal orientation with respect to the membrane process direction of the membrane sheet. The membrane film exhibits reduced internal stress as compared to conventionally-prepared membrane films and allows a more even distribution of pressure in a fuel cell stack, thereby reducing the incidence of swollen membrane-induced failure mechanisms in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: Provided is a composite which is comprised of one or more ion exchange resin(s) and a porous fluorine containing polymer membrane (2), wherein the porous membrane and the resin form a carbon-chain crosslinked structure, so that the film prepared from the composite is of good airtightness and stability, as well as high ion exchange capacity and high conductivity. The preparation method of the composite, the product prepared from this composite and the application thereof are also provided.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane having a proton conducting polymer reinforced with a nanofiber mat made from a nanofiber comprising a fiber material selected from polymers and polymer blends; wherein the fiber material has a fiber material proton conductivity; wherein the proton conducting polymer has a proton conducting polymer conductivity; and wherein the fiber material proton conductivity is less than the proton conducting polymer conductivity, and methods of making. In some embodiments, the nanofiber further comprises a proton conducting polymer.

Abstract: A hydrogen fuel cell comprising: an anode; a cathode; an electrolyte; means for supplying a hydrogen-containing fuel to the fuel cell; and means for supplying an oxidant to the fuel cell; wherein the anode and, optionally, the cathode includes a catalyst comprising an alloy of the formula (I): PdxBiyMz (I) wherein: M is one or more metals; x is 0.2 to 0.4; y is 0.6 to 0.8; z is not greater than 0.1; and x+y+z=1; is described. Catalysts and electrodes for hydrogen fuel cells comprising the alloy and electrochemical methods using the alloy catalysts are also described.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electrolyte membrane comprising a crosslinked object of a polybenzoxazine-based compound formed of a polymerized resultant product of a first monofunctional benzoxazine-based monomer or a second benzoxazine-based monomer multifunctional benzoxazine-based monomer with a crosslinkable compound.

Abstract: Provided is a composite which is comprised of one or more ion exchange resin(s) and fluorine containing polymer fiber, wherein the fiber and the film-forming resin form a triazine-ring crosslinked structure, so that the film prepared from the composite is of good airtightness and stability, as well as high ion exchange capacity and high conductivity. The preparation method of the composite, the product prepared from this composite and the use thereof are also provided.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of thin film composite membranes by interfacial polymerisation, in particular through the reaction of polyfunctional acyl halides with polyfunctional amines where the polyfunctional acyl halide is applied first to the support medium.

Abstract: The flow field plates in a bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell can be both bonded and sealed appropriately using microencapsulated adhesives. This offers several advantages over using other adhesives which may have limited pot life and/or require lengthy curing periods at elevated temperature during which time the plates must be stably positioned and under compression.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane (11) includes: a filler (20); and a polymer electrolyte (22). A thickness of the electrolyte membrane (11) is 1 micrometer to 500 micrometer, a moisture content thereof is 10 mass % or more, and a ratio of a swelling ratio in a membrane surface direction (xy) thereof and a swelling ratio in a membrane thickness direction (z) thereof satisfies following Expression 1: where Lambda z is the swelling ratio in the membrane thickness direction (z), and Lambda xy is the swelling ratio in the membrane surface direction (xy). ? ? ? xy ? ? ? z < 0.3 [ Math .

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a cathode supply passage, a cathode discharging passage, an anode supply passage, an anode discharging passage, a pair of cathode shutoff units, an anode shutoff unit, an anode discharging unit, a discharged gas processing unit, and a control unit. The control unit releases the sealing of the cathode passage by the pair of cathode shutoff units, at the time of start-up of the fuel cell system, and releases the sealing of the anode passage by the anode discharging unit, thereby performing a purge process to allow discharge of the anode gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyimide porous web with good porosity, good dimensional stability, and uniform pore; a method for manufacturing the same; and an electrolyte membrane with improved ion conductivity and good dimensional stability owing to ion conductors uniformly impregnated in the porous web, the polyimide porous web having a porosity of 60% to 90%, wherein not less than 80% of entire pores of the porous web have a pore diameter which differs from an average pore diameter of the porous web by not more than 1.5 ?m.

Abstract: An ion-conducting membrane for fuel cells includes an ion-conducting polymer having protogenic groups and poly(methyl methacrylate). Characteristically, the ion-conducting layer is planar having a thickness from 1 microns to 200 microns. A membrane electrode assembly includes the ion-conducting membrane interposed between a cathode layer and an anode layer.

Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds.

Abstract: Provided is a varnish which contains a solvent and an electrode electrolyte for a solid polymer fuel cell electrolyte, which contains a polymer with a structure having a main chain including a polyphenylene, a side chain including a sulfonic acid group and a repeating structural unit as a side chain including a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group.

Abstract: A free-standing membrane electrolyte electrode assembly (ESC) comprises an electrolyte, an anode electrode formed at one end face of the electrolyte, and a cathode electrode formed at the other. The electrolyte is a single crystal having a surface along with oxide ions move or a direction in which the ions move or a polycrystal oriented along a surface along which oxide ions move or in a direction in which the ions move. The surface or the direction is parallel to the thickness direction. The thickness of the electrolyte is 50 to 800 ?m and the quotient of the division of the total thickness of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode by the thickness of the electrolyte is 0.1 or less,. The thickness of the ESC is 1 mm or less.

Abstract: A composition showing enhanced proton conductivity comprising at least a polymer with an ionizable group (A) containing a proton and carbon nanostructures functionalized with ionizable group (B) containing a proton is disclosed where A and B are same or different.

Abstract: In a method for the production of a membrane electrode assembly comprising a membrane, electrodes and a catalyst, the catalyst is pressed into the membrane material, e.g. when forming the material in situ.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrocarbon composite electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, which is formed of an inexpensive hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane to ensure mechanical and thermochemical stability. The present invention provides a hydrocarbon composite electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, the hydrocarbon composite electrolyte membrane including at least one composite electrolyte membrane layer having a structure in which graphene nanostructures are impregnated into a hydrocarbon electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: To provide an ion exchange membrane for alkaline chloride electrolysis having a low electric resistance and further having a sufficient mechanical strength. To employ an ion exchange membrane containing a polymer having units (U1). Q1, Q2=a perfluoroalkylene group or the like; Rf1, Rf2=a perfluoroalkyl group or the like; X1=an oxygen atom or the like; a=0 or the like; Y1=a fluorine atom or the like; r=0 or 1; and M=a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal atom.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with an individual cell having first and second electrodes and a membrane formed by a polymer electrolyte including an ionically conducting part. The polymer electrolyte includes at least an ionically non-conducting part forming a first inactive area localized on a first uncovered part not covered by the first electrode and/or a second inactive area localized on a second uncovered part not covered by the second electrode. A cover encloses the cell and is provided with an inner wall mechanically fixed onto at least the first or second inactive area by adhesion means.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyte material containing a copolymer including a polyvinyl as a main chain, the copolymer including a functional group with proton conductivity; and an alkoxide of Si or Ti as a side chain. By using the electrolyte material, a proton conductive polymer electrolyte membrane with flexibility, high ion conductivity, excellent water resistance, and a small change in size can be obtained. And a polymer electrolyte fuel cell can be provided which has high output and durability by using the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrolyte is formed of a first layer (6) having its stronger tensile strength oriented in one direction, laminated to a second layer (7) having its stronger tensile strength oriented perpendicular to the stronger direction of the first layer.

Abstract: A polymer membrane composition for a fuel cell, a polymer membrane prepared therefrom, a membrane electrode assembly, a fuel cell including the same, and associated methods, the polymer membrane composition including a polymer, the polymer including a cation exchange group and a carbon double-bond-containing cross-linkable group, a (meth)acryl-based compound, the (meth)acryl-based compound including a cation exchange group, and a polymerization initiator.

Abstract: A combined subgasket and membrane support for a fuel cell is provided. The combined subgasket and membrane support includes a substantially fluid impermeable feed region circumscribing a porous membrane support region. The membrane support region is integrally formed with the feed region. At least one of the membrane support region and the feed region is at least partially formed by a radiation-cured structure. A method for fabricating the subgasket and membrane support for the fuel cell is also provided.

Abstract: To provide a polymer electrolyte membrane and a membrane/electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, excellent in the durability to hydrogen peroxide or peroxide radicals. A polymer electrolyte membrane 15 comprising an ion exchange resin having cation exchange groups, which contains cerium element and at least one member selected from cesium element and rubidium element; and a membrane/electrode assembly 10, comprising an anode 13 having a catalyst layer 11 containing a catalyst and an ion exchange resin, a cathode 14 having a catalyst layer 11 containing a catalyst and an ion exchange resin, and a polymer electrolyte membrane 15 disposed between the anode 13 and the cathode 14, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane 15 contains cerium element and at least one member selected from cesium element and rubidium element.

Abstract: A reinforced membrane comprises: (I) a planar reinforcing component made from metal, carbon, polymer or a composite thereof, and (ii) an ion-conducting material, wherein the planar reinforcing component is a cellular structure, comprising a plurality of discrete cells, wherein the wall of each cell extends through the thickness of the component such that the cell wall is impermeable to the proton-conducting material and wherein the proton-conducting material fills the cells of the planar reinforcing component. Such a membrane is of use in a fuel cell or an electrolyser.

Abstract: A method of activating boron nitride comprises exposing the boron nitride to a fluid enabling —OH hydroxyl radicals and/or H3O+ to be delivered and creating B—OH bonds and/or NH2 bonds in the boron nitride, and eliminating the fluid and recovering the activated boron nitride.

Abstract: A porous membrane with pores that includes a polymerization product of a polyazole-based material, an electrolyte membrane including the porous membrane with a proton-conductive polymer provided in pores of the porous membrane, methods of manufacturing the porous membrane and the electrolyte membrane, and a fuel cell employing at least one of the porous membrane and the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for production of a fuel cell catalyst layer forming a catalyst layer by a catalyst paste, the apparatus including a device for removal of water to obtain a polyelectrolyte solution by reducing, to a predetermined value or less, the concentration of water in a pre-solution in which a polyelectrolyte having a side chain including a hydrophilic functional group is dissolved in a solvent; and an agitator means for obtaining the catalyst paste by mixing a pre-paste obtained by mixing a catalyst with water and the polyelectrolyte solution.

Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a highly fluorinated polymer electrolyte and at least one cerium oxide compound dispersed therein. In addition, a method of making a fuel cell polymer electrolyte membrane is provided comprising the steps of: a) providing a highly fluorinated polymer electrolyte comprising acidic functional groups; b) dispersing therein at least one cerium oxide in an amount so as to provide between 0.01 and 5 percent of the total weight of the polymer electrolyte membrane; and c) thereafter forming a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising said polymer electrolyte.