Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly, comprising at least two electrochemically active electrodes which are separated by at least on polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane has reinforcing elements which penetrate the polymer electrolyte membrane at least partially. The membrane electrode assembly is preferably obtained by a method in which (i) a polymer electrolyte membrane is formed in the presence of the reinforcing elements, (ii) the membrane and the electrodes are assembled in the desired order. The membrane electrode assembly is particularly suited for applications in fuel cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling thin films, for example, for handling and assembling membranes in fuel cell electrodes. The apparatus includes a translatable vacuum table for mounting the thin film, a perforated drum having a source of vacuum for removing the thin film from the vacuum table, and a transfer assembly having a perforated surface and a source of vacuum for transferring the thin film from the perforated drum to a target location. When the thin films are provided in containers, the apparatus may also include means for opening the containers to access the thin film within. Removal of the thin film from the transfer assembly may be aided by a thin film release device, for example, a plurality of moveable wires. The apparatus may be automated, for example, the apparatus may included automated controllers and robotic arms to facilitate the handling of thin film materials.

Abstract: A method for forming a patterned noble metal coating on a gas diffusion medium substantially free of ionomeric components comprising subjecting an electrically conductive web with a patterned mask overlaid thereto to a first ion beam having an energy not higher than 500 eV, and to a second beam having an energy of at least 500 eV, containing the ions of at least one noble metal and a gas diffusion electrode.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Membrane for fuel cells, containing polymers comprising phosphonic acid and/or sulphonic acid groups, membrane electrode assemblies and the use thereof in fuel cells The present invention relates to a membrane for fuel cells, containing polymers comprising phosphonic acid and/or sulphonic acid groups, characterized in that the polymer comprising phosphonic acid and/or sulphonic acid groups can be obtained by copolymerisation of monomers comprising phosphonic acid and/or sulphonic acid groups and hydrophobic monomers.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymer films and a polymer membrane having an improved mechanical property profile produced therefrom, to a process for producing them and to their use. The polymer films, polymer membranes and separation membranes of the invention are produced from selected polymer raw materials and have excellent chemical, thermal. and mechanical properties as are required for use as polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) in PEM fuel cells or in apparatuses for the filtration and/or separation of gases and/or liquids or for reverse osmosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer blend membrane comprising a bridged polymer which is produced by a selected process. The membrane of the invention displays a significantly improved fracture toughness (elongation at break/stress) combined with virtually unchanged other properties. The membranes of the invention are suitable for producing membrane-electrode units for fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized polyazoles comprising recurring imidazole units of the general formula where the radicals Ar, Ar1 and Ar2 are tetravalent, divalent or trivalent aromatic or heteroaromatic groups, Y is a bond or a group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, v is an integer from 1 to 10 and Z is a group of the general formula where R1 and R2 are each, independently of one another, a hydrogen atom or a group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, characterized in that the polyazole is soluble in organic solvents. Furthermore, the present invention relates to intermediates and to a process for preparing the polyazoles. Furthermore, the present invention describes polymer electrolyte membranes and fuel cells in which the polyazoles of the invention are present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane electrode unit having two gas diffusion layers, each contacted with a catalyst layer, which are separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane has an inner area which is contacted with a catalyst layer, and an outer area which is not provided on the surface of a gas diffusion layer, characterized in that the thickness of the inner area of the membrane decreases over a period of 10 minutes by at least 5% at a pressure of 5 N/mm2 and the thickness of the membrane in the outer area is greater than the thickness of the inner area of the membrane.

Abstract: A method for forming a noble metal coating on a gas diffusion medium substantially free of ionomeric components comprising subjecting an electrically conductive web to a first ion beam having an energy not higher than 500 eV, then to a second beam having an energy of at least 500 eV, containing the ions of at least one noble metal and electrodes provided by the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single fuel cell, comprising a) at least two electrochemically active electrodes, separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane and b) at least two separator plates, having at least one respective gas channel for reaction gases, whereby at least one separator plate is composed of glassy carbon. Said invention also relates to methods for producing said single fuel cell as well as to fuel cells, comprising such a single fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyelectrolyte membrane, including the step of immersing a basic polymer such as a polybenzimidazole in a strong acid having a concentration sufficient to impregnate the basic polymer with six or more strong acid molecules per polymer repeating unit of the basic polymer at a temperature of not less than 30° C. for a period of 5 h or less, as well as a fuel battery having the polyelectrolyte membrane. Hence, the times required to immerse the basic polymers in the strong acids can be shortened and the proton conductivity of the polyelectrolyte membranes can be improved.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An acid-doped, single-layer or multilayer polymer membrane comprising at least one layer A of a polymer blend with contains: a) from 0.1 to 99.9% by weight of one or more polymers comprising recurring azole units of the formula 1A and/or 1B: wherein the radicals Ar, Ar1, and Ar2 are tetravalent, divalent or trivalent aromatic or heteroaromatic groups and the radicals X are each and oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or an amino group bearing a hydrogen atom, a 1-20 carbon group, in admixture with b) from 99.9 to 0.1% by weight of a polysulfone containing recurring unit having no sulfonic acid groups.