Abstract: Disclosed is an aromatic sulfonic acid ester derivative represented by the formula (1); in the formula, X is an atom or a group selected from a halogen atom excluding fluorine, —OSO3CH3 and —OSO3CF3, A is a divalent electron attractive group, B is a divalent electron donating group or a direct bonding, Ra is a hydrocarbon group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, Ar is an aromatic group having a substituent of —SO3Rb (wherein Rb is a hydrocarbon group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms), m is an integer of 0 to 10, n is an integer of 0 to 10 and k is an integer of 1 to 4. Also disclosed is a process for producing a polyarylene having a sulfonic acid group, which process comprises the steps of coupling polymerization of an aromatic compound containing the derivative of the formula (1), to prepare a polyarylene and hydrolysis of the polyarylene, and which process has high safety and is easily capable of controlling the amount of sulfonoc acid group introduced into a polymer and the introducing position thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a process for producing an electrolyte membrane-bonded electrode having excellent power generation property when constitutes an electrode assembly, and a varnish composition for an electrolyte, by the use of which an electrolyte membrane-electrode bonded structure capable of retaining excellent power generation property is obtained. A process for producing a first electrolyte membrane-bonded electrode comprises applying, onto an electrode, a water-containing dispersion containing a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer, an organic solvent A and water and having a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer content of 0.5 to 20% by weight and then applying, onto the resulting film, a solution of sulfonated polyarylene in an organic solvent B, to form an electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymer electrolyte having a protonic acid group that is excellent in thermal stability and dimensional stability. The polymer electrolyte includes copolymers having a sulfonic acid group which has a structure represented by the following formula: wherein X is a divalent electron-withdrawing group; Y is an oxygen or a sulfur; Z and Q are each a direct bond, —O—, —S—, —CO—, —SO2—, —[C(R?)2]g— (g: integer of from 1 to 8), etc.; R, R? and R1 to R16 are each a hydrogen, a fluorine, an alkyl, a fluorine-substituted alkyl, an aryl or a nitrile; m, n, p, q, r, s, t and u are each an integer of from 0 to 4 (with the proviso that p+q?1); and A is a group represented by Formula (5a) or (5b) below: wherein W is a divalent electron-withdrawing group; S is a protonic acid group; i is an integer of from 1 to 5; and j is an integer of from 1 to 7.

Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor of the present invention comprises a capacitor element having an anode element, an anode lead member projecting from the anode element, a dielectric coating formed on a surface of the anode element and a surface of the anode lead member near the anode element, a solid electrolyte layer formed on the dielectric coating, and a cathode lead layer formed on the solid electrolyte layer; and an insulating enclosure member for coating the outer periphery of the capacitor element. End faces of the dielectric coating and the solid electrolyte layer formed on the anode lead member are formed approximately flush with each other. The end faces of the dielectric coating and the solid electrolyte layer are covered with an insulating layer made of a thermoplastic insulating material.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal aligning agent useful to obtain a liquid crystal alignment film excellent in liquid crystal alignment properties, alignment controlling power and rubbing resistance, having high voltage retention characteristics and having reduced charge accumulation, and a liquid crystal display device which is less susceptible to display failure, to lowering of contrast or to image persistence. A liquid crystal aligning agent comprising a low resistance polyimide precursor having a volume resistivity of from 1×1010 to 1×1014 ?cm when formed into a film, and a high alignment polyimide precursor or polyimide having a specific structure, and a liquid crystal display device employing this liquid crystal aligning agent.

Abstract: A terminal-crosslinkable polyamic acid oligomer having 1) heat resistance indicated by Tg of 300° C. or more and a pyrolysis temperature of 500° C. or more, 2) toughness, and 3) capability of allowing an increase in concentration. The polyamic acid oligomer is obtained by reacting an aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride including 2,2?,3,3?-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, an aromatic diamine compound, and a reactive crosslinking agent including an amino group or acid anhydride group and a crosslinkable group in the molecule, and includes a crosslinkable group at the molecular terminal.

Abstract: To provide a liquid crystal aligning agent useful to obtain a liquid crystal alignment film which exhibits a high voltage retention characteristic even under high temperature conditions and which has a low accumulation charge, and a liquid crystal display device which is less susceptible to lowering of contrast or to image persistence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sulfonic group-containing polyarylene block copolymer superior to the perfluoroalkylsulfonic acid polymers in cost, conductive properties and processability, a process for producing the copolymer, a solid polymer electrolyte and a proton conductive membrane. The sulfonic group-containing polyarylene block copolymer includes a polymer segment with an ion conductive component represented by the formula (A) and at least one polymer segment without an ion conductive component represented by the formulae (B-1), (B-3) and the like and containing an aromatic ring bonded at the meta-positions or ortho-positions: wherein X is a single bond, —CO—, —SO2— or the like; W is a single bond, —CO—, —SO2— or the like; Q is a single bond, —O—, —S— or the like; J is a single bond, —CO—, —SO2— or the like; and R1 to R24 are each a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, an alkyl group or the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a proton conductive membrane excellent in heat resistance, which has sulfonic acid as ion exchange groups. The proton conductive membrane comprises a nitrogen-containing compound that can be mixed with water in arbitrary proportions and has a boiling point of not lower than 100. degree. C. and a proton conductive resin which has sulfonic acid ion-exchange groups, wherein the nitrogen-containing compound is contained in an amount of 0.5 to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the proton conductive resin.

Abstract: A composite polymer electrolyte membrane is formed from a first polymer electrolyte comprising a sulfonated polyarytene polymer and a second polymer electrolyte comprising another hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte. In the first polymer electrolyte, 2-70 mol % constitutes an aromatic compound unit with an electron-attractive group in its principal chain, while 30-98 mol % constitutes an aromatic compound unit without an electron-attractive group in its principal chain. The second polymer electrolyte is a sulfonated polyether or sulfonated polysulfide polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: A proton conductive membrane exhibiting superior proton conductivity even at high temperatures of 100° C. or above, and a proton conductive composition capable of forming the membrane are provided. The invention also provides a proton conductive membrane showing excellent proton conductivity even if it does not have an increased amount of the sulfonic groups introduced therein, and a proton conductive composition capable of forming the membrane. The proton conductive composition includes (a) at least one compound selected from a metal oxide hydrate, a phyllosilicate and a hygroscopic inorganic porous compound, and (b) a polyarylene having a sulfonic group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a membrane-electrode structure for a solid polymer fuel cell comprising a pair of electrode catalyst layers and a polyeletrolyte membrane sandwiched between the electrode catalyst layers, wherein the electrode catalyst layers contain polyarylene having a sulfonic acid group, said polyarylene comprising a recurring unit represented by the following formula (A) and a recurring unit represented by the following formula (B); wherein Y is a direct bonding or a group selected from a divalent electron withdrawing group and a divalent electron donating group, Ar is a mononuclear or polynuclear aromatic group, m is an integer of 0 to 10, k is an integer of 0 to 5, l is an integer of 0 to 4, and k+1?1; wherein R1 to R8 are each a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, an alkyl group, a fluorine-substituted alkyl group, an aryl group or an allyl group, W is a divalent electron withdrawing group or a direct bonding, T is a direct bonding, a divalent electron withdrawing group, a divalent electron donating

Abstract: A process of producing an electrode paste having excellent storage stability and capable of forming a catalyst layer that has a sufficient pore volume for high generating performance, and an electrode paste composition having such properties are disclosed. The process comprises mixing and agitating carbon black supporting a catalyst metal, a polymer electrolyte, an organic solvent and at least either carbon fiber or water thereby to finely disperse the carbon black to a predetermined mean particle diameter of particles dispersed in the mixed solution, and admixing a dispersant to the mixed solution and agitating the resultant mixture to obtain an electrode paste in which particles having a predetermined mean particle diameter are uniformly dispersed.

Abstract: A terminal-crosslinkable polyamic acid oligomer having 1) heat resistance indicated by Tg of 300° C. or more and a pyrolysis temperature of 500° C. or more, 2) toughness, and 3) capability of allowing an increase in concentration. The polyamic acid oligomer is obtained by reacting an aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride including 2,2?,3,3?-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, an aromatic diamine compound, and a reactive crosslinking agent including an amino group or acid anhydride group and a crosslinkable group in the molecule, and includes a crosslinkable group at the molecular terminal.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for direct methanol type fuel cell and a proton conductive membrane for direct methanol type fuel cell are disclosed. The membrane-electrode assembly comprises a negative electrode and a positive electrode assembled via a proton conductive membrane, the negative electrode being provided with a negative electrode-side separator having a mechanism for feeding a methanol aqueous solution as a fuel, the positive electrode being provided with a positive electrode-side separator having a mechanism for feeding an oxidizing agent gas, and the proton conductive membrane comprising a polymer containing 0.05-99.95 mol % of a repeating constitutional unit represented by the formula (A), and 0.05-99.95 mol % of a repeating constitutional unit represented by the formula (B).

Abstract: A halogenated aromatic compound, a polyarylene (co)polymer obtained by the polymerization of such a halogenated aromatic compound as a monomer component, and a proton-conductive membrane made of a sulfonation product of such a (co)polymer are disclosed. The halogenated aromatic compound is represented by the following general formula (1bm): wherein As′ independently represent an electron-withdrawing group; Bs′ independently represent an electron-donating atom or divalent group; Xs′ independently represent a chlorine atom, an iodine atom, or a bromine atom; Z represents an aryl group; R1 to R19 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, an alkyl group, or a fluoroalkyl group; and a and b each represents an integer of 1 to 20.

Abstract: A polymer which has a flexible structure in its main chain and thus exhibits a high toughness and can difficultly be deteriorated in its mechanical properties and thermal properties even when sulfonated, a sulfonic acid group-containing polymer obtained by the sulfonation of the polymer, and a proton-conductive membrane having an excellent mechanical strength and durability made of the sulfonic acid group-containing polymer. A novel halogenated aromatic compound represented by the following general formula (1m) is provided: wherein A independently represents an electron-withdrawing group; B independently represents an electron-donating atom or group; X represents a chlorine atom, iodine atom or bromine atom; R1 to R8 may be the same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom, fluorine atom or alkyl group; and n represents an integer of 2 or more.

Abstract: A polyarylene copolymer which comprises (A) aromatic compound units having a main chain containing one or more electron-withdrawing groups therein and (B) aromatic compound units having a main chain containing no electron-withdrawing groups therein, and a proton-conductive membrane comprising the polyarylene copolymer having sulfonic acid groups.

Abstract: A monomer containing an electron-withdrawing group and an electron-donative group which can be easily controlled in the upper limit of the amount of a sulfonic acid, which impairs the mechanical properties of a copolymer, and can provide a sulfonated polymer that forms a proton-conductive membrane having a high proton conductivity over a wide temperature range, an excellent mechanical strength and an excellent proton conductivity and showing inhibited swelling in hot water and an aqueous solution of methanol, and a copolymer obtained from the monomer. A monomer containing an electron-withdrawing group and an electron-donative group represented by the following general formula (1): wherein Y represents a iodine atom, chlorine atom or bromine atom; X represents an electron-withdrawing group; B represents an electron-donative group; and Z represents an aryl group having a specific structure or a monovalent condensed ring hydrocarbon group such as naphthyl group.

Abstract: The invention provides a proton conductive membrane excellent in heat resistance, which has sulfonic acid as ion exchange groups.