Abstract: A nanocomposite includes metal-carbon nanotubes and a sulfonated polysulfone. In the nanocomposite, the sulfonated polysulfone and the metal-carbon nanotubes have strong attraction therebetween due to ?-? interactions or van der Waals interactions, and thus the nanocomposite has excellent ionic conductivity and mechanical properties. In addition, the nanocomposite includes a metal that can be used as a catalyst for an anode, and thus the reduction in power generation caused by methanol crossover can be minimized. Therefore, a nanocomposite electrolyte membrane prepared using the nanocomposite can minimize the reduction in power generation caused by the crossover of a polar organic fuel such as methanol. In a fuel cell employing the nanocomposite electrolyte membrane, when an aqueous methanol solution is used as a fuel, crossover of the methanol is more suppressed, and accordingly, the fuel cell has an improved operating efficiency and a longer lifetime.

Abstract: An alkylated bisphenol-based compound, a method of preparing the same, sulfonated polyarylene sulfone polymer prepared from the alkylated bisphenol-based compound, a method of preparing the polymer, and a fuel cell using the sulfonated polyarylene sulfone polymer.

Abstract: A sulfonated poly(arylene sulfone) contains an unsaturated bond. A cross-linked material may be formed from the sulfonated poly(arylene sulfone), and a clay nanocomposite may include the sulfonated poly(arylene sulfone) or the cross-linked material. A fuel cell includes the clay nanocomposite.

Abstract: A mesoporous carbon composite includes mesoporous carbon having mesopores; a conductive polymer coated on only an outer surface of the mesoporous carbon; and an organic electrolyte. The mesoporous carbon composite may be prepared by impregnating an ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) with a mixture comprising a carbon precursor, an acid, and a solvent; heat-treating and carbonizing the impregnated OMS to form an OMS-carbon composite; mixing the OMS-carbon composite with a monomer that forms a conductive polymer and a solvent to provide a surface of the OMS-carbon composite with the monomer; polymerizing the monomer to obtain a conductive polymer-coated OMS-carbon composite; removing the OMS from the composite to obtain a conductive polymer-coated mesoporous carbon; and doping the conductive polymer-coated mesoporous carbon with an organic electrolyte. A supported catalyst and a fuel cell include the mesoporous carbon composite.

Abstract: A nanocomposite including: a sulfonated polysulfone and a nonmodified clay dispersed in the sulfonated polysulfone, the nonmodified clay having a layered structure, and the nonmodified clay being intercalated with the sulfonated polysulfone, or the layers of the layered structure being exfoliated, a nanocomposite electrolyte membrane and a fuel cell using the same. In the nanocomposite, a nanoscale amount of the nonmodified clay, which has a layered structure, is dispersed in sulfonated polysulfone having excellent ionic conductivity. Thus, the nanocomposite has excellent ionic conductivity and mechanical properties. The nanocomposite electrolyte membrane formed using this nanocomposite has an improved ability to suppress permeation of polar organic fuels, such as methanol, while maintaining appropriate ionic conductivity.

Abstract: Provided are a polymer membrane that includes a porous polymer matrix and an acryl-based polymer infiltrated in pores of the porous polymer matrix, a method of preparing the same, and a fuel cell using the polymer membrane. The polymer membrane effectively decreases a crossover phenomenon of a fuel cell.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell, and a method of making the same, the MEA including: an electrolyte membrane; binder layers including a sulfonated polysulfone-clay nanocomposite, and a tackifier, disposed on opposing sides of the membrane; and electrodes including electrode catalytic layers, disposed on the binder layers.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator and a fuel cell using the same includes: a first container containing an aqueous solution of alkaline metal carbonate or bicarbonate; a second container containing a metal hydride; and a supply unit disposed between the first container and the second container. The hydrogen generator has a high hydrogen generating rate, can provide a fuel cell with a high energy density, and the amount of hydrogen generated thereby is easy to control.

Abstract: A nanocomposite includes metal-carbon nanotubes and a sulfonated polysulfone. In the nanocomposite, the sulfonated polysulfone and the metal-carbon nanotubes have strong attraction therebetween due to ?-? interactions or van der Waals interactions, and thus the nanocomposite has excellent ionic conductivity and mechanical properties. In addition, the nanocomposite includes a metal that can be used as a catalyst for an anode, and thus the reduction in power generation caused by methanol crossover can be minimized. Therefore, a nanocomposite electrolyte membrane prepared using the nanocomposite can minimize the reduction in power generation caused by the crossover of a polar organic fuel such as methanol. In a fuel cell employing the nanocomposite electrolyte membrane, when an aqueous methanol solution is used as a fuel, crossover of the methanol is more suppressed, and accordingly, the fuel cell has an improved operating efficiency and a longer lifetime.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a slurry-type coating solution for cation-conducting polymer composite membranes that is capable of producing cation-conducting polymer composite membranes with high ionic conductivity as well as low methanol permeability and low ohmic resistance when used in direct-methanol fuel cells, via pluralization of solvents and use of specific additives. The coating slurry comprises about 1 to about 10 parts by weight of a sulfonated clay, about 100 parts by weight of a cation exchange group-containing polymer, and a co-solvent consisting of a high-boiling point solvent with a boiling point of about 180 to about 250° C. and a low-boiling point solvent with a boiling point of about 100 to about 180° C.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane includes a nanocomposite ion complex that is a reaction product of a nanocomposite with a basic polymer. The nanocomposite includes a polymer having a sulfonic acid group and an unmodified clay. Either the unmodified clay has a layered structure and is dispersed in the polymer having the sulfonic acid group, and the polymer is intercalated between layers of the clay or the unmodified clay has an exfoliated structure and the exfoliated layers of the unmodified clay are dispersed in the polymer. The electrolyte membrane shows high mechanical strength, high ionic conductivity, and excellent methanol crossover impeding properties even when the degree of sulfonation of the polymer having the sulfonic acid group is high. When a methanol aqueous solution is used as a fuel, the fuel cell including the electrolyte membrane has a low methanol crossover, and thus, has a high operational efficiency and a long lifetime.

Abstract: Provided are a polymer membrane that includes a porous polymer matrix and an acryl-based polymer infiltrated in pores of the porous polymer matrix, a method of preparing the same, and a fuel cell using the polymer membrane. The polymer membrane effectively decreases a crossover phenomenon of a fuel cell.

Abstract: A nanocomposite including: a sulfonated polysulfone and a nonmodified clay dispersed in the sulfonated polysulfone, the nonmodified clay having a layered structure, and the nonmodified clay being intercalated with the sulfonated polysulfone, or the layers of the layered structure being exfoliated, a nanocomposite electrolyte membrane and a fuel cell using the same. In the nanocomposite, a nanoscale amount of the nonmodified clay, which has a layered structure, is dispersed in sulfonated polysulfone having excellent ionic conductivity. Thus, the nanocomposite has excellent ionic conductivity and mechanical properties. The nanocomposite electrolyte membrane formed using this nanocomposite has an improved ability to suppress permeation of polar organic fuels, such as methanol, while maintaining appropriate ionic conductivity.

Abstract: A mesoporous carbon composite includes mesoporous carbon having mesopores; a conductive polymer coated on only an outer surface of the mesoporous carbon; and an organic electrolyte comprising a lithium salt and an organic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a preparation method of an exfoliated nitropolymer/silicate nanocomposite by emulsion polymerization of monomers forming the polymer in an aqueous dispersion of non-modified, layered silicate in the presence of a reactive emulsifier having both a radical-polymerizable vinyl group and a functional group with affinity for silicate. In the process of the polymerization, silicate is fully exfoliated and uniformly dispersed in the polymer. Therefore, only a small amount of silicate is sufficient to improve thermal and mechanical properties of the polymer. Further, the method is advantageous in terms of a simple preparation process due to no use of organo-modified silicate, thus achieving an economic benefit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing polymer/silicate nanocomposites via emulsion polymerization, which comprises the steps of: