Polymeric Material (e.g., Proton Exchange Membrane (pem), Etc.) Patents (Class 429/492)
-
Publication number: 20130026409Abstract: Ionically conducting, redox active additive composite electrolytes are disclosed. The electrolytes include an ionically conductive component and a redox active additive. The ionically conductive component may be an ionically conductive material such as an ionically conductive polymer, ionically conducting glass-ceramic, ionically conductive ceramic, and mixtures thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicants: Recapping, Inc., The Penn State Research FoundationInventors: Amanda Baker, Niall J. Donnelly, Enkhtuvshin Dorjpalam, Soonil Lee, Mehdi Mirsaneh, Weiguo Qu, Ramakrishnan Rajagopalan, Clive A. Randall, Aram Yang
-
Publication number: 20130029249Abstract: The description includes materials that may be useful for fuel cell applications such as in the manufacture of fuel cell electrodes, proton exchange membranes (PEM), as catalyst additives or in tie layers designed to be thermally and chemically robust while operating within a fuel cell's harsh environment at higher temperatures and to conduct protons, with significantly higher levels of bound acidic groups, while in a low hydration state. Methods of making the materials are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Steven Joseph Hamrock, Mark Steven Schaberg
-
Patent number: 8361664Abstract: Active metal fuel cells are provided. An active metal fuel cell has a renewable active metal (e.g., lithium) anode and a cathode structure that includes an electronically conductive component (e.g., a porous metal or alloy), an ionically conductive component (e.g., an electrolyte), and a fluid oxidant (e.g., air, water or a peroxide or other aqueous solution). The pairing of an active metal anode with a cathode oxidant in a fuel cell is enabled by an ionically conductive protective membrane on the surface of the anode facing the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: PolyPlus Battery CompanyInventors: Steven J. Visco, Yevgeniy S. Nimon, Bruce D. Katz, Lutgard C. De Jonghe
-
Patent number: 8361673Abstract: A fuel cell has a gas diffusion layer (15A, 15C) provided on at least one surface side of a polymer electrolyte membrane (12). The polymer electrolyte membrane is structured with a conductive carbon sheet. Fluid flow passages (16A, 16C) are formed on the surface of the gas diffusion layer (15A, 15C) contacting a separator (21A, 21C). The roughness of the surface of the gas diffusion layer (15A, 15C) provided with the fluid flow passage is smaller than the roughness of its surface contacting the catalyst layer (14A, 14C). Thus, it becomes possible to achieve a further improvement in power generation performance, and to suppress a reduction in durability.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Tsutomu Kawashima, Hideyo Higashino, Takashi Nakagawa
-
Publication number: 20130022893Abstract: A composite membrane containing a composite material including an azole-based polymer and a compound represented by Formula 3 below, a method of preparing the composite membrane, and a fuel cell including the composite membrane: M11-aM2aPxOy??<Formula 3> wherein, in Formula 3, M1 is a tetravalent metallic element; M2 is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of a monovalent metallic element, a divalent metallic element, and a trivalent metallic element; a satisfies 0?a<1; x is a number from 1.5 to 3.5; and y is a number from 5 to 13.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.Inventors: PIL-WON HEO, TAKASHI HIBINO, YONG-CHENG JIN
-
Publication number: 20130017471Abstract: To reduce degradation of a solid polymer fuel cell during startup and shutdown, a selectively conducting component is incorporated in electrical series with the anode components in the fuel cell. The component is characterized by a low electrical resistance in the presence of hydrogen or fuel and a high resistance in the presence of air. High cathode potentials can be prevented by integrating such a component into the fuel cell. A suitable selectively conducting component can comprise a layer of selectively conducting material, such as a metal oxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AGInventors: Herwig Haas, Joy Roberts, Francine Berretta, Amy Shun-Wen Yang, Yvonne Hsieh, Guy Pepin, Andrew Leow, Richard Fellows, Nicolae Barsan
-
Patent number: 8354137Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode catalyst layer for a fuel cell which includes a polymer electrolyte, a catalyst material and carbon particles, wherein the electrode catalyst layer employs a non-precious metal catalyst and has a high level of power generation performance. The electrode catalyst layer is used as a pair of electrode catalyst layers in a fuel cell in which a polymer electrolyte membrane is interposed between the pair of the electrode catalyst layers which are further interposed between a pair of gas diffusion layers. The method of the present invention has such a feature that the catalyst material or the carbon particles are preliminarily embedded in the polymer electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Morioka, Haruna Kurata, Saori Okada, Kenichiro Oota
-
Patent number: 8354201Abstract: A fuel cell includes a first flow field plate defining at least one flow field channel. A cathode catalyst layer is disposed over at least a portion of the first flow field plate. A polymeric ion conducting membrane is disposed over cathode catalyst layer. An anode catalyst layer is disposed over the polymeric ion conducting membrane. Finally, a second flow field plate defining at least one flow field channel is disposed over the anode catalyst layer. The polymeric ion conducting membrane extends beyond the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer such that the fuel cell has at least one peripheral region with the polymeric catalyst layer interposed between first flow field plate and the second flow field plate without the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Sean M MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Annette M. Brenner
-
Publication number: 20130011766Abstract: A polyelectrolyte membrane fuel cell apparatus, includes a backing plate, a top clamping plate, at least one in-plane planar fuel cell assembly interposed between the top plate and the backing plate, and a current collector foil interposed between the planar fuel cell(s) and the top clamping plate, the current collector foil including an electrically non-conductive foil having a pattern of electrically conductive material provided thereon on the side facing the planar fuel cell. The fuel cell apparatus is held together by spot welds between the top clamping plate and the backing plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: MYFC ABInventors: Anders Lundblad, Lars Persson, Caroline Persson, Tommy Lövgren, Ola Hultberg, Daniel Karlsson
-
Patent number: 8349515Abstract: A crosslinked object of a polybenzoxazine-based compound formed of a polymerized resultant of a first monofunctional benzoxazine-based monomer or a second multifunctional benzoxazine-based monomer with a crosslinkable compound, an electrolyte membrane including the crosslinked object, a method of preparing the electrolyte membrane, and a fuel cell employing the electrolyte membrane including the crosslinked object.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seong-woo Choi, Hee-young Sun, Myung-lin Lee, Woo-sung Jeon
-
Patent number: 8343321Abstract: The invention relates to membrane-electrode assemblies for the electrolysis of water (electrolysis MEAs), which contain an ion-conducting membrane having a front and rear side; a first catalyst layer on the front side; a first gas diffusion layer on the front side; a second catalyst layer on the rear side, and a second gas diffusion layer on the rear side. The first gas diffusion layer has smaller planar dimensions than the ion-conducting membrane, whereas the second gas diffusion layer has essentially the same planar dimensions as the ion-conducting membrane (“semi-coextensive design”). The MEAs also comprise an unsupported free membrane surface that yields improved adhesion properties of the sealing material. The invention also relates to a method for producing the MEA products. Pressure-resistant, gastight and cost-effective membrane-electrode assemblies are obtained, that are used in PEM water electrolyzers, regenerative fuel cells or in other electrochemical devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Ralf Zuber, Klaus Schaack, Sandra Wittpahl, Holger Dziallas, Peter Seipel, Pia Braun, Lutz Rohland
-
Patent number: 8338054Abstract: There are provided: a proton transporting material that improves mechanical characteristics of a sulfonated liquid crystalline polymer material, can be kept as a membrane even though it is made a solid state while maintaining a molecular arrangement of a liquid crystalline state, and is suitable for electrolyte membranes of fuel cells etc.; an ion exchange membrane, a membrane electrolyte assembly (MEA), and a fuel cell that use the proton transporting material; a starting material for the proton transporting material. The proton transporting material has a molecular structure produced by crosslinking the sulfonated liquid crystalline polymer material with a crosslinking agent having two or more functional groups in sites except that of the sulfonic acid group.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignees: University of Yamanashi, Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuichiro Haramoto, Kohei Shiramizu, Masashi Oota
-
Publication number: 20120321986Abstract: Fabricating roll-good fuel cell material involves laminating first and second bonding material webs having spaced apart windows to first and second surfaces of a fuel cell membrane web. First and second active regions of the membrane web are positioned within the respective bonding material windows. Third and fourth gasket material webs having spaced apart windows are respectively laminated to the bonding material on the first and second membrane web surfaces. The bonding material windows align with the respective gasket material windows so that at least some of the bonding material extends within the respective gasket material windows. Fluid transport layer (FTL) material portions cut from fifth and sixth FTL material webs are laminated to the respective first and second active regions. The FTL material portions are positioned within respective gasket material windows and contact the bonding material extending within the respective gasket material windows.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: David Robert Mekala, Donald George Peterson, Dennis Earl Ferguson, Duane Douglas Fansler
-
Publication number: 20120321993Abstract: The process for producing a proton conductive polymer electrolyte membrane of the present invention includes the steps of: irradiating resin fine particles with radiation; graft-polymerizing a vinyl monomer having a sulfonic acid group precursor and a vinyl monomer having a carbonyl group equivalent with the resin fine particles in a solid-liquid two-phase system to obtain a finely particulate graft polymer; preparing a casting solution of a polymer having a phosphoric acid group or a phosphonic acid group and the graft polymer, and forming a cast membrane from this solution; drying the cast membrane to obtain a film; converting the sulfonic acid group precursor into a sulfonic acid group; and forming a crosslinked structure between the carbonyl group equivalents. In the solid-liquid two-phase system, a liquid phase includes the vinyl monomers and a solvent for the monomers, and a solid phase includes the resin fine particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicants: JAPAN ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Hideyuki Emori, Hirose Suzuki, Masaharu Asano, Yasunari Maekawa
-
Publication number: 20120321992Abstract: A composite electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell with a controlled phosphoric acid-based material retention ratio. The composite electrolyte membrane includes an electrolyte membrane containing a compound having a phosphoric acid-based material-containing functional group. Also disclosed are a method for manufacturing the composite electrolyte membrane, and a fuel cell including the composite electrolyte membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.Inventors: Seong-woo CHOI, Dae-jong Yoo, Ki-hyun Kim
-
Patent number: 8323849Abstract: A fuel cell including an electrolyte membrane and/or an electrode which includes a crosslinked polybenzoxazine-based compound formed of a polymerized product of at least one selected from a first benzoxazine-based monomer and second benzoxazine-based monomer, the first benzoxazine-based monomer and second benzoxazine-based monomer having a halogen atom or a halogen atom-containing functional group, crosslinked with a cross-linkable compound.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seong-woo Choi, Jung-ock Park
-
Publication number: 20120301813Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte material made of a s copolymer comprising a repeating unit based on a fluoromonomer A which gives a polymer having an alicyclic structure in its main chain by radical polymerization, and a repeating unit based on a fluoromonomer B of the following formula (1): CF2?CF(Rf)jSO2X??(1) wherein j is 0 or 1, X is a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom or OM {wherein M is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom or a group of NR1R2R3R4 (wherein each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 which may be the same or different, is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group)}, and Rf is a C1-20 polyfluoroalkylene group having a straight chain or branched structure which may contain ether oxygen atoms.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Atsushi Watakabe, Takeshi Eriguchi, Toshihiro Tanuma, Yasuhiro Kunisa
-
Patent number: 8318373Abstract: An MEA comprising: (i) a central first conductive gas diffusion substrate having a first face and a second face; (ii) first and second catalyst layers each having a first and second face and wherein the first face of the first catalyst layer is in contact with the first face of the gas diffusion substrate and the first face of the second catalyst layer is in contact with the second face of the gas diffusion substrate; (iii) first and second electrolyte layers each having a first and second face and wherein the first face of the first electrolyte layer is in contact with the second face of the first catalyst layer and the first face of the second electrolyte layer is in contact with the second face of the second catalyst layer; (iv) third and fourth catalyst layers each having a first and second face and wherein the first face of the third catalyst layer is in contact with the second face of the first electrolyte layer and the first face of the fourth catalyst layer is in contact with the second face of the seType: GrantFiled: September 11, 2007Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells LimitedInventors: Hanna Katariina Rajantie, Jonathan David Brereton Sharman, David Thompsett, David Emmerson Brown, Stephen Robert Tennison, Beverley Sowerby, Vlad Strelko
-
Patent number: 8318377Abstract: A membrane-electrode junction agent, a proton conducting membrane having a junction layer, a membrane-electrode assembly, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and a manufacturing method of the membrane-electrode assembly, which enhance the power generation performance, realize the high fuel barrier property, and are capable of enhancing the joint strength between the membrane and the electrodes, is provided. A membrane-electrode junction agent that joins a proton conducting membrane and electrodes arranged on both surfaces of the proton conducting membrane to each other, the membrane-electrode junction agent including: a cross-linked compound (X) having a silicon-oxygen bond; a polymer material (Y) containing an acid group; and a hydrophilic resin (Z) containing no acid group.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshihito Miyami, Yoshiharu Konno, Hideyasu Nakajima, Masashi Kanoh
-
Publication number: 20120295181Abstract: A benzoxazine-based monomer, a polymer thereof, an electrode for a fuel cell including the same, an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell including the same, and a fuel cell using the same. The aromatic ring may contain up to 2 nitrogens within the ring. Single ring and fused ring substituents are attached to the pendent nitrogen. The ring substituents may be heterocyclic.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS, CO., LTD.Inventors: Seongwoo Choi, Jungock Park, Wonmok Lee
-
Patent number: 8304123Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided that is capable of operating at high temperatures and near-ambient pressure with partial humidification of air supplied to the fuel cell stack. The fuel cells of the stack incorporate gas diffusion barrier layers at the cathode side thereof. The system includes a cooling loop for circulating a liquid coolant through the stack. In some embodiments, an incoming air stream is partially humidified with water vapor transferred from a cathode exhaust stream in a gas-exchange humidifier or enthalpy wheel. In other embodiments, a cathode recycle is employed to partially humidify the incoming air. The humidity of the air and cathode exhaust streams is maintained below a stack saturation point. Methods of operating the fuel cell system are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Richard A. Sederquist, Brian W. Wells, Alexander Mossman, Craig R. Louie
-
Patent number: 8304134Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte composition comprising a polymer electrolyte (A component) having an ion exchange capacity of from 0.5 to 3.0 meq/g, a compound (B component) having a thioether group and a compound (C component) having an azole ring, wherein a mass ratio (B/C) of the B component to the C component is 1/99 to 99/1, and a total content of the B component and C component is 0.01 to 50% by mass based on the solid content in the polymer electrolyte composition.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Asahi Kasei E-materials CorporationInventors: Naoto Miyake, Yuichi Inoue
-
Patent number: 8304135Abstract: A method of manufacturing a proton-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a base material and having excellent proton conductivity and methanol blocking properties is provided. The method includes: heat-treating a precursor membrane including PVA and a water-soluble polymer electrolyte having a proton conductive group to proceed crystallization of the PVA; and chemically crosslinking the heat-treated precursor membrane with a crosslinking agent reactive with the PVA, to form a polymer electrolyte membrane in which a crosslinked PVA is a base material and protons are conducted through the electrolyte retained in the base material. The content of a water-soluble polymer except the PVA and the water-soluble polymer electrolyte in the precursor membrane is in a weight ratio of less than 0.1 with respect to the PVA.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Nitto Denko CorporationInventors: Tooru Sugitani, Hiroyuki Nishii, Otoo Yamada, Sakura Toshikawa
-
Patent number: 8304133Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a polymer electrolyte membrane including (A) a membrane formation step of forming a membrane-form product of an ionic group-containing polymer electrolyte on a support, (B) an acid treatment step of exchanging the ionic group into an acid type by bringing the membrane into contact with an inorganic acid-containing acidic liquid, (C) an acid removal step of removing a free acid in the acid-treated membrane, and (D) a drying step of drying the acid-removed membrane, wherein the steps (B) to (D) are carried out without separating the membrane from the support.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kousuke Sasai, Hiroki Yamaguchi, Yoshimitsu Sakaguchi, Kouta Kitamura, Masahiro Yamashita
-
Patent number: 8298719Abstract: Passive recovery of liquid water from the cathode side of a polymer electrolyte membrane through the design of layers on the cathode side of an MEA and through the design of the PEM, may be used to supply water to support chemical or electrochemical reactions, either internal or external to the fuel cell, to support the humidification or hydration of the anode reactants, or to support the hydration of the polymer electrolyte membrane over its major surface or some combination thereof. Such passive recovery of liquid water can simplify fuel cell power generators through the reduction or elimination of cathode liquid water recovery devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: University of North Florida Board of TrusteesInventors: Alex Mossman, Brian Wells, Russell Barton, Henry Voss
-
Patent number: 8298720Abstract: A proton conductor is formed of a porous body as a substrate and proton-conducting polymer covalently bonded to inner surfaces of pores of the porous body. The proton-conducting polymer comprises a main chain and a plurality of branched side chains extending radially therefrom. The branched side chains are each bonded to a proton-conducting salt at the end. The proton-conducting polymer has a substantially cylindrical structure in which the salts can be circumscribed by a virtual circle having a center on the cross-sectional center of the main chain such that a radial direction of the virtual circle is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the main chain. The salts are located on the peripheral wall of the substantially cylindrical structure. Protons are transferred between the adjacent salts, so that a conduction channel is formed on the peripheral wall of the cylindrical structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2008Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co. Ltd.Inventors: Tadahiro Shiba, Hitoshi Iwadate
-
Publication number: 20120270141Abstract: To provide nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds with excellent oxygen reduction activity, metal complexes containing them, and catalysts and electrodes employing the same, the present invention provides an aromatic compound satisfying the following conditions (a) and (b): (a) It has 2 or more structures surrounded by at least 4 coordinatable nitrogen atoms (which structures may be the same or different), (b) At least one of the nitrogen atoms composing the structure is a nitrogen atom in a 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2010Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicants: Max Planck Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V., SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Nobuyoshi Koshino, Hideyuki Higashimura, Klaus Muellen, Christian von Malotki, Qi Su, Martin Baumgarten, Hassan Norouzi-Arasi, Lena Arnold, Ruili Liu
-
Patent number: 8293806Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazoles which can, because of its excellent chemical and thermal properties, be used in a variety of ways and is particularly useful as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) to produce membrane electrode units for PEM fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: BASF Fuel Cell GmbHInventors: Gordon Calundann, Michael J. Sansone, Oemer Uensal, Joachim Kiefer
-
Publication number: 20120264030Abstract: The present invention relates to improved membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cells with long lifetime, comprising two electrochemically active electrodes separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane based on polyoxazoles.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Oliver Gronwald, Gunter Christ, Christoph Hartnig
-
Patent number: 8288054Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes an anode, a cathode, a membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein at least one of the anode, cathode and membrane contains a hydrocarbon ionomer, and an electrode catalyst disposed in at least one of the anode and the cathode, wherein the catalyst is a metal alloy catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: UTC Power CorporationInventors: Sathya Motupally, Ned Cipollini, Lesia Protsailo, Andrew Haug, Tommy Skiba, Chi-Hum Paik
-
Publication number: 20120258382Abstract: Ligand additives having two or more coordination sites in close proximity can be used in the polymer electrolyte of membrane electrode assemblies in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells in order to reduce the dissolution of catalyst, particularly from the cathode, and hence reduce fuel cell degradation over time.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicants: Ford Motor Company, Daimler AGInventors: Jing Li, Keping Wang, Yunsong Yang, Scott McDermid, Sumit Kundu
-
Patent number: 8283088Abstract: An object is to provide an electrolyte membrane that maintains excellent cell characteristics for a long time under high temperature and low water retention, as this is the most important point in fuel cells. A process for producing a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells is provided, which process comprises in sequence: forming graft molecular chains by graft-polymerization of a vinyl silane coupling agent on a polymer film substrate that has phenyl groups capable of holding sulfonic acid groups; introducing sulfonic acid groups into phenyl groups contained in the graft molecular chains; and hydrolyzing and condensing alkoxy groups contained in the graft molecular chains so that a silane crosslinked structure is introduced between the graft molecular chains. A polymer electrolyte membrane produced by the process is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2007Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignees: Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Nitto Denko CorporationInventors: Masaru Yoshida, Masaharu Asano, Jinhua Chen, Yasunari Maekawa, Toshimitsu Tachibana, Yozo Nagai, Soji Nishiyama
-
Publication number: 20120248031Abstract: The invention relates to a composite or a composite membrane consisting of an ionomer and of an inorganic optionally functionalized phyllosilicate. The isomer can be: (a) a cation exchange polymer; (b) an anion exchange polymer; (c) a polymer containing both anion exchanger groupings as well as cation exchanger groupings on the polymer chain; or (d) a blend consisting of (a) and (b), whereby the mixture ratio can range from 100% (a) to 100% (b). The blend can be ionically and even covalently cross-linked. The inorganic constituents can be selected from the group consisting of phyllosilicates or tectosilicates.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventors: Jochen Kerres, Thomas Häring, Rima Häring
-
Publication number: 20120248029Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii)12 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and a cationic group; (iii) 10 to 70 wt % solvent; (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; and (v) lithium and/or calcium salt. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: FUJIFILM MANUFACTURING EUROPE BVInventors: Harro Antheunis, Jacko Hessing, Bastiaan Van Berchum
-
Publication number: 20120248028Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 12 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and a cationic group; (iii) 10 to 70 wt % solvent; and (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; and (v) non-curable salt; wherein the molar ratio of (i):(ii) is >0.10. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: FUJIFILM MANUFACTURING EUROPE BVInventors: Harro Antheunis, Jacko Hessing, Bastiaan Van Berchum
-
Publication number: 20120251919Abstract: The present invention provides a polyarylene-based copolymer including a plurality of segments having an ion exchange group and a plurality of segments having substantially no ion exchange group, wherein at least one of the segments having an ion exchange group includes a polyarylene structure, the polystyrene-equivalent weight-average molecular weight of the segments having an ion exchange group is from 10,000 to 250,000, and the ion exchange capacity of the polyarylene-based copolymer is 3.0 meq/g or more.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2010Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Taisuke Nakamura, Yoichiro Machida
-
Publication number: 20120248030Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 12 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and a cationic group; (iii) 15 to 70 wt % solvent; and (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; and (v) 2 to 50 wt % of non-curable salt; wherein the composition has a pH of 1 to 12. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: FUJIFILM MANUFACTURING EUROPE BVInventors: Harro Antheunis, Jacko Hessing, Bastiaan Van Berchum
-
Patent number: 8278004Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of producing a membrane electrode assembly using an interface resistance reducing composition which can simply reduce the resistance of the interface between an electrode and an electrolyte membrane in a short time at low temperatures at low pressure without polymerization while maintaining an effect of suppressing a fuel crossover even with an electrolyte membrane having high heat resistance, high strength, a high tensile elastic modulus and a low water content.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.Inventors: Shinya Adachi, Daisuke Izuhara, Masataka Nakamura, Naoki Shimoyama, Takao Uete, Masayuki Kidai
-
Patent number: 8278005Abstract: Notches 23e are filled with part of an elastic material that is injection-molded in a region containing the notches 23e, so that a plate member 23b is taken in by the notches 23e through the repulsive force of the elastic material. Thus, the plate member 23b is secured. Further, the elastic material filling the notches 23e enlarges the joined portion between the plate member 23b and the gasket 24b. Accordingly, the gasket 24b is firmly joined to the surface of the plate member 23b, and can be prevented from being lifted up from the plate member 23b. Thus, the plate member 23b is firmly secured to the separator main body 25.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: NOK CorporationInventors: Takashi Mashimo, Tomohiro Inoue
-
Patent number: 8273500Abstract: A polymer electrolyte composition obtained by mixing a plurality of ion-conductive polymers, wherein if the ion-conductive polymer that is highest in ion exchange capacity among the plurality of ion-conductive polymers is termed first ion-conductive polymer, and the ion-conductive polymer that is lowest in ion exchange capacity is termed second ion-conductive polymer, then the first ion-conductive polymer and the second ion-conductive polymer are both block copolymers composed of a segment having an ion-exchange group and a segment having substantially no ion-exchange groups, and if the weight fraction of the segment having an ion-exchange group in the first ion-conductive polymer is termed Wh1, and the weight fraction of the segment having an ion-exchange group in the second ion-conductive polymer is termed Wh2, then the relations (I) and (II) listed below are satisfied: (I) Wh1>Wh2; (II) Wh1?Wh2?0.25.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, LimitedInventors: Yasuhiro Yamashita, Diazaburo Yashiki, Mitsunori Nodono
-
Publication number: 20120231367Abstract: A small molecule or polymer additive can be used in preparation of a membrane electrode assembly to improve its durability and performance under low relative humidity in a fuel cell. Specifically, a method of forming a membrane electrode assembly comprising a proton exchange membrane, comprises providing an additive comprising at least two nitrogen atoms to the membrane electrode assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2010Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AGInventors: Yunsong Yang, Jing Li, Keping Wang
-
Publication number: 20120231355Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane having a construction wherein an ionomer is charged in pores of a nanoweb having a high melting point, being insoluble in an organic solvent and having excellent pore characteristics, under optimum conditions. Therefore, an overall thickness of the electrolyte membrane may be reduced, thereby attaining advantages such as decrease in ohmic loss, reduction of material costs, excellent heat resistance, low thickness expansion rate which in turn prevents proton conductivity from being deteriorated over a long term. The polymer electrolyte membrane of the present invention comprises a porous nanoweb having a melting point of 300? or more and being insoluble in an organic solvent of NMP, DMF, DMA, or DMSO at room temperature; and an ionomer which is charged in pores of the porous nanoweb and contains a hydrocarbon material soluble in the organic solvent at room temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2010Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicants: KOLON FASHION MATERIAL. INC., KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Moo-Seok Lee, Yong-Cheol Shin, Jae Hee Ryu, Na Young Kim, Kyoung-Ju Kim, Chul Ki Kim, Yong-Hwan Lee, Yun Kyung Kang
-
Publication number: 20120231354Abstract: A composite membrane that can be used as an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell is produced from a resin material that contains at least polybenzimidazole and from a composite material that is produced from of hydrogen sulfate and heteropoly acid. The composite membrane has a basic structure of an aromatic hydrocarbon that does not contain fluorine and has good efficiency, even at a low doping level, so it can be used for the electrolyte membrane of a medium temperature dry fuel cell. Phosphoric acid is doped into the composite membrane. Characteristics of the relationship between output current density and output voltage for an electrolyte membrane that is made from the created composite membrane (a specimen 4) are better than for a specimen 8, in which the amount of phosphoric acid doping is equivalent.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION TOYOHASHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Atsunori MATSUDA, Song-Yul OH, Toshihiro Yoshida, Go Kawamura, Junichi Hamagami, Mototsugu Sakai
-
Patent number: 8263285Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly (10) is characterized by including an electrolytic membrane (11) having proton conductivity and a first electrode (12) jointed on the electrolytic membrane. The first electrode has a catalyst (121, 122) and a first ionomer (123) covering the catalyst and acting as a proton exchange group. A ratio of water-generation amount (mol/min) at rated output point of the membrane-electrode assembly/volume (cm3) of the first ionomer in the first electrode is 1350 or larger.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasushi Araki, Kimihide Horio
-
Patent number: 8263287Abstract: Polymer electrolyte membranes for use in fuel cells are produced by first graft polymerizing acrylic acid derivatives or vinylketone derivatives as monomers on polymer substrates and by then performing selective conversion to a sulfonic acid group of hydrogen atoms on the carbon atom adjacent to the carbonyl in the ketone or carboxyl group on the graft chains.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Japan Atomic Energy AgencyInventors: Shuichi Takahashi, Yasunari Maekawa, Shin Hasegawa
-
Publication number: 20120225361Abstract: Additives can be used to prepare polymer electrolyte for membrane electrode assemblies in polymer electrolyte fuel cells in order to improve both durability and performance. The additives are chemical complexes comprising certain metal and organic ligand components.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2010Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AGInventors: Keping Wang, Yunsong Yang, Jing Li
-
Patent number: 8257825Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, including a porous membrane including ceramic fibers crisscrossed in a network and pores formed by the ceramic fibers coalesced at intersection points, and a proton conductive polymer inside the pores.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hee-Tak Kim, Ho-Jin Kweon
-
Publication number: 20120219876Abstract: A naphthoxazine benzoxazine-based monomer is represented by Formula 1 below: In Formula 1, R2 and R3 or R3 and R4 are linked to each other to form a group represented by Formula 2 below, and R5 and R6 or R6 and R7 are linked to each other to form a group represented by Formula 2 below, In Formula 2, * represents the bonding position of R2 and R3, R3 and R4, R5 and R6, or R6 and R7 of Formula 1. A polymer is formed by polymerizing the naphthoxazine benzoxazine-based monomer, an electrode for a fuel cell includes the polymer, an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell includes the polymer, and a fuel cell uses the electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Inventors: Seongwoo CHOI, Jungock Park
-
Publication number: 20120219879Abstract: Use of a proton exchange membrane M in proton exchange membrane fuel cells, wherein the membrane M comprises a blend of (I) at least one polybenzimidazole polymer PBI which comprises, in polymerized form, at least 90 mol-% monomeric units U of formula (I) and/or (II), based on the total amount of monomeric units of the polybenzimidazole polymer PBI, wherein Y is a substituted element selected from O and S; or Y is a single carbon-carbon bond; Z is selected from the group consisting of divalent C1-C10 alkanediyl; divalent C2-C10 alkenediyl; divalent C6-C15 aryl; divalent C5-C15 heteroaryl; divalent C5-C15 heterocyclyl; divalent C6-C19 aryl sulfone; and divalent C6-C19 aryl ether; and wherein the total amount of monomeric units U in the polybenzimidazole polymer PBI is from about 100 to about 10,000; and (III) at least one sulfonated polymer SP, which comprises, in polymerized form, at least 50 mol-% monomeric units U?, based on the total amount of monomeric units of the sulfonated polymer SP, wherein at leastType: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: EWE-FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FÜR ENERGIETECHNOLOGIE E.V.Inventors: Jin Hu, Olaf Conrad
-
Patent number: 8252482Abstract: A fuel cell includes a power generation portion. The power generation portion at least has a fuel electrode, an oxygen electrode, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween, and a first opening member including an opening on the fuel electrode side. The fuel cell includes a fuel storage portion storing fuel and including a second opening member that includes an opening. The fuel cell includes a container portion provided on the power generation portion containing the fuel storage portion. The container portion is designed to contain the fuel storage portion such that the fuel storage portion is attachable to and detachable from the power generation portion, while the opening of the first opening member and the opening of the second opening member are positioned so as to be communicable with each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Kenji Kobayashi