Abstract: The invention provides methods for modifying one or more properties of porous thin films. In such methods, a formulation comprising a reactive species is applied to the porous thin film and allowed to crosslink. In some embodiments, the crosslinked network thus formed imparts increased mechanical strength and wear resistance to the porous thin films.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for modifying one or more properties of porous thin films. In such methods, a formulation comprising a reactive species is applied to the porous thin film and allowed to crosslink. In some embodiments, the crosslinked network thus formed imparts increased mechanical strength and wear resistance to the porous thin films.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for modifying one or more properties of porous thin films. In such methods, a formulation comprising a reactive species is applied to the porous thin film and allowed to crosslink. In some embodiments, the crosslinked network thus formed imparts increased mechanical strength and wear resistance to the porous thin films.

Abstract: The invention provides composite polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) that have reduced methanol crossover and can be used to fabricate catalyst coated membranes (CCMs), membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), and fuel cells.

Abstract: Ion conducting polymers containing polyarylene ion conducting segments and elastomeric segments covalently linked to each other are used to make polymer electrolyte membranes that can be used in fuel cells such as direct methanol fuel cells.

Abstract: An acid-base proton conducting polymer blend membrane is provided. The acid-base proton conducting polymer blend membrane comprises a first acidic polymer having acidic subunits, a second basic polymer having basic subunits, and a third polymer containing one or more functional units for improving membrane conductivity, flexibility, water remaining ability, dimension stability, and methanol crossover. In one embodiment, the acid-base polymer blend membrane of the present invention comprises a first acidic polymer having acidic subunits, a second basic polymer having basic subunits, wherein at least one of the first acidic and second basic polymer comprises one or more functional units to improve the properties of the membrane. The functional units include hydrophilic units, methanol blocking units, methanol blocking units, dimensional stabilizer units, and flexible units.

Abstract: The invention provides cross-linked polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's), catalyst coated proton exchange membranes (CCM's) and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA's) that are useful in fuel cells and their application in electronic devices, power sources and vehicles.

Abstract: The invention provides ion conducting copolymers containing pendant bis(aryl)sulfonimide groups that are used to make polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's), catalyst coated proton exchange membranes (CCM's) and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA's) that are useful in fuel cells and their application in electronic devices, power sources and vehicles.

Abstract: This invention relates to ion conducting random copolymers that are useful in forming polymer electrolyte membranes used in fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention provides dimensionally stable polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) that can be used to fabricate catalyst coated membranes (CCMs) and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) that are useful in fuel cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to sulfonated copolymers which are useful in forming polymer electrolyte membranes used in fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to catalyst inks used in the formation of catalyst coated membranes used in fuel cells.

Abstract: This application relates to membrane electrode assemblies (MEA's) that contain an ion conducting adhesion promotion layer to promote structural stability at the interface of the PEM and catalyst layer within the MEA.

Abstract: This invention relates to ion conducting random copolymers that are useful in forming polymer electrolyte membranes used in fuel cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to sulfonated copolymers which are useful in forming polymer electrolyte membranes used in fuel cells.

Abstract: An acid-base proton conducting polymer blend membrane is provided. The acid-base proton conducting polymer blend membrane comprises a first acidic polymer having acidic subunits, a second basic polymer having basic subunits, and a third polymer containing one or more functional units for improving membrane conductivity, flexibility, water remaining ability, dimension stability, and methanol crossover. In one embodiment, the acid-base polymer blend membrane of the present invention comprises a first acidic polymer having acidic subunits, a second basic polymer having basic subunits, wherein at least one of the first acidic and second basic polymer comprises one or more functional units to improve the properties of the membrane. The functional units include hydrophilic units, methanol blocking units, methanol blocking units, dimensional stabilizer units, and flexible units.

Abstract: Polyphosphazene polymers having crown ether and related podand side groups have been prepared. The polymers are useful as solid solvents for ionic conduction. Branched polyphosphazene polymers having the formula [NP(OCH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.2 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m R)(O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m R)).sub.2 ].sub.n, as well as the corresponding crown ether polyphosphazenes, were synthesized where m=0-3 and R is C1-C4 alkyl. The physical properties of these polymers were compared with the related polymer poly[bis(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-ethoxy)phosphazene], MEEP. Also, a series of poly(organophosphazenes) which bear oligoethylenoxy side groups has been synthesized and characterized. The polymers have the general formula [NP(O(CH.sub.2).sub.m CH.sub.3).sub.x (OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3).sub.y ].sub.n, where x and y are approximately 1 and m ranges from 1-20.