Abstract: The present invention concerns electrode materials capable of redox reactions by electron and alkali-ion exchange with an electrolyte. The applications are in the field of primary (batteries) or secondary electrochemical generators, supercapacitors and light modulating systems of the electrochromic type.

Abstract: A process for producing a perfluoropolymer, the process including extruding a polymer obtained by polymerizing a perfluoromonomer to prepare strands, and bringing a gas comprising from 3 to 50 volume % of fluorine gas into contact with the strands; the process being conducted on an apparatus that includes an extruder for melting and extruding the polymer obtained by polymerizing a perfluoromonomer, a die having a plurality of pores for preparing the strands from the molten polymer extruded, and a fluorination tank for bringing the gas comprising from 3 to 50 volume % of fluorine gas into contact with the strands.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte membrane-electrode membrane assembly for a solid polymer fuel cell having superior characteristics, wherein a gas diffusion electrode membrane and a solid electrolyte membrane are well bonded, and electrode catalysts are uniformly-dispersed to obtain high electrode activity, a production method thereof and a fuel cell equipped therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to a copolymer of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide and at least one substituted oxirane bearing an ionic group. The copolymer is characterized in that its chain comprises repeat units —O—CH2—CH(—CH2—O—SO3?Li+)—, repeat units —O—CH2—CHR— in which R is H or CH3, optionally, repeat units —O—CH2—CH(—CH2R?)— in which R? is a functional group. x Uses: electrolyte in electrochemical, selective-membrane and reference-membrane devices.

Abstract: A block copolymer comprising at least one segment having an acid group which is represented by the following formula (1) and at least one segment substantially free from acid groups which comprises repeating units represented by the following formula (2) is provided: (wherein, m represents an integer of 10 or more, Ar1, Ar2 and Ar3 represent each independently a divalent aromatic group which is optionally substituted by an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms or aryloxy group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, at least one of Ar1 and Ar2 having an acid group, and Ar3 may have an acid group or may be free from acid groups. Y represents —CO— or —SO2—, and Y's may be different from each other.

Abstract: An optimal architecture for a polymer electrolyte battery, wherein one or more layers of electrolyte (e.g., solid block-copolymer) are situated between two electrodes, is disclosed. An anolyte layer, adjacent the anode, is chosen to be chemically and electrochemically stable against the anode active material. A catholyte layer, adjacent the cathode, is chosen to be chemically and electrochemically stable against the cathode active material.

Abstract: A polymer-based electrolyte material for use in lithium ion batteries that exhibits high bulk ion conductivity at ambient and sub-ambient temperatures. The polymer electrolyte comprises a polymer matrix and a liquid electrolyte which is an organic solvent containing a free lithium salt. The polymer matrix is cross-linked and can be formed of cross-linkable ionic monomers, particularly ionic LLC surfactant monomers.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte satisfying both of proton conductivity and chemical stability such as water resistance at a high level that is preferable as the polymer electrolyte for fuel cells and the like is provided. The invention includes a block copolymer comprising one or more segments having an ion exchange group and one or more segments having substantially no ion exchange group, wherein at least one of the segments having an ion exchange groupis the segment represented by the following general formula (1A), (1B) or (1C): and the segment has ion exchange group density of 4.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyte for an electrochemical device. The electrolyte includes a composite of a plastic crystal matrix electrolyte doped with an ionic salt and a crosslinked polymer structure. The electrolyte has high ionic conductivity comparable to that of a liquid electrolyte due to the use of the plastic crystal, and high mechanical strength comparable to that of a solid electrolyte due to the introduction of the crosslinked polymer structure. Further disclosed is a method for preparing the electrolyte. The method does not essentially require the use of a solvent. Therefore, the electrolyte can be prepared in a simple manner by the method. The electrolyte is suitable for use in a cable-type battery whose shape is easy to change due to its high ionic conductivity and high mechanical strength.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium rechargeable battery including: a cathode plate including a cathode current collector layer and a cathode layer; an anode plate spaced from the cathode plate, the cathode plate including an anode current collector layer and an anode layer; and a polymer electrolyte disposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate, wherein at least one of the cathode layer and the anode layer includes a mixed cathode active material or a mixed anode active material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lithium-sulfur polymer battery having a anode and a cathode separated by an electrolyte formed by a membrane containing a solution of a lithium salt in aprotic organic solvents with the addition of lithium sulfide and/or lithium polysulfides until saturation, this solution being trapped in a polymer matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed are an organic electrolyte for a lithium-ion battery and a lithium-ion battery comprising the same, wherein the electrolyte includes a base electrolyte containing a lithium salt dissolved in an organic solvent, and diphenyloctyl phosphate added thereto in an amount of 0.1 to 20 wt %. As compared to a conventional organic electrolyte using only a carbonate ester-based solvent, such as ethylene carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, etc., the lithium-ion battery employing the organic electrolyte can improve thermal stability of an electrolyte solution, high-rate performance, and charge/discharge cyclability of a battery, while maintaining battery performance of the base electrolyte.

Abstract: A proton-conducting electrolyte membrane containing a porous inorganic substrate, a porous portion of the porous inorganic substrate being filled with a proton-conducting polymer, wherein the proton-conducting polymer is a co-polymer of: (i) a monomer compound having an ethylenically unsaturated bond and a sulphonic acid group in the molecule; and (ii) a silyl compound represented by Formula (1): (R1O)n—Si—R2m??Formula (1) wherein R1 is an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R2 is an organic group capable of co-polymerizing; m and n each are an integer of 1 to 3, with the proviso that m plus n equals 4; and R2 may be the same or different when m is 2 or 3.

Abstract: Spiro ammonium salts as an additive for electrolytes in electric current producing cells, in particular electric current producing cells comprising a Li-based anode, are provided. In some embodiments, the electric current producing cell comprises a cathode, a Li-based anode, and at least one electrolyte wherein the electrolyte contains at least one spiro ammonium salt.

Abstract: Li-based anodes for use in an electric current producing cells having long life time and high capacity are provided. In certain embodiments, the Li-based anode comprises at least one anode active Li-containing compound and a composition comprising at least one polymer, at least one ionic liquid, and optionally at least one lithium salt. The composition may be located between the at least one Li-containing compound and the catholyte used in the electric current producing cell. In some embodiments, the at least one polymer may be incompatible with the catholyte. This configuration of components may lead to separation between the lithium active material of the anode and the catholyte. Processes for preparing the Li-based anode and to electric current producing cells comprising such an anode are also provided.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for a lithium battery, the electrolyte membrane including: a matrix including a polymerization product of a (meth)acrylate monomer composition; and a porous metal-organic framework dispersed in the matrix, wherein the metal-organic framework includes a crystalline compound including a metal ion or metal ion cluster which is chemically bound to an organic ligand, and a liquid electrolyte including a lithium salt and a nonaqueous organic solvent.

Abstract: A branched polymer represented by formula (I): wherein at least one of L1, L2, L3, and L4 is a univalent organic group represented by formula (II): wherein L5, L6 and L7 are independently hydrogen or a univalent organic group, D1, D2 and D3 being independently a single bond or a divalent group, at least one of D1, D2, and D3 containing in which R1 is hydrogen or a methyl group and n is an integer ranging from 1 to 1000; and the remainder of L1, L2, L3, and L4 being independently hydrogen or a univalent organic group represented by formula (III): wherein R is a univalent end group, with the proviso that, when one of the remainder is hydrogen, the others of the remainder cannot be hydrogen.

Abstract: Electrolyte materials for use in electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells comprising the same, and methods of making such materials and cells, are generally described. In some embodiments, the materials, processes, and uses described herein relate to electrochemical cells comprising sulfur and lithium such as, for example, lithium sulfur batteries. The electrolyte can comprise a polymeric material and, in some cases, an absorbed auxiliary material. For example, the electrolyte material can be capable of forming a gel, and the auxiliary material can comprise an electrolyte solvent. In some instances, the electrolyte material can comprise at least one organic (co)polymer selected from polyethersulfones, polyvinylalcohols (PVOH) and branched polyimides (HPI). The non-fluid material in the electrolyte, when configured for use, can, alone or in combination with the optional absorbed auxiliary material, have a yield strength greater than that of lithium metal, in some embodiments.

Abstract: Electrolyte materials for use in electrochemical cells, electrochemical cells comprising the same, and methods of making such materials and cells, are generally described. In some embodiments, the materials, processes, and uses described herein relate to electrochemical cells comprising sulfur and lithium such as, for example, lithium sulfur batteries. The electrolyte can comprise a polymeric material and, in some cases, an absorbed auxiliary material. For example, the electrolyte material can be capable of forming a gel, and the auxiliary material can comprise an electrolyte solvent. In some instances, the electrolyte material can comprise at least one organic (co)polymer selected from polyethersulfones. The non-fluid material in the electrolyte, when configured for use, can, alone or in combination with the optional absorbed auxiliary material, have a yield strength greater than that of lithium metal, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the electrochemical cell (e.g.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte membrane containing an ionic conductor. The ionic conductor includes: (a) a cation expressed by one of Formulae (1) and (2): R1R2R3HX+??(1) where, in Formula (1), X indicates any one of N and P, and R1, R2 and R3 each indicate any one of alkyl groups C1 to C18 except a structure in which R1?R2?R3, R1R2HS+??(2) where, in Formula (2), R1 and R2 each indicate any one of alkyl groups C1 to C18 except a structure in which R1?R2; and (b) an anion expressed by Formula (3): R4YOm(OH)n?1O???(3) where, in Formula (3), Y indicates any one of S, C, N and P, R4 indicates any one of an alkyl group and a fluoroalkyl group, and m and n each indicate any one of 1 and 2.

Abstract: A composite porous membrane comprises a porous matrix and a polymer. The porous matrix contains a fiber woven fabric, a fiber nonwoven fabric, a porous metal material, or a porous inorganic material, and the polymer forms a three-dimensional network structure in the porous matrix. The composite porous membrane may be obtained by impregnating the porous matrix with a solution of the polymer, and by solidifying while stretching the polymer. Preferred examples of the porous matrix include glass fiber nonwoven fabrics, and preferred examples of the polymer include polybenzimidazoles.

Abstract: High electrical energy density storage devices are disclosed. The devices include electrochemical capacitors, electrolytic capacitors, hybrid electrochemical-electrolytic capacitors and secondary batteries. Advantageously, the energy storage devices may employ core-shell protonated perovskite submicron or nano particles in composite films that have one or more shell coatings on a protonated perovskite core particle, proton bearing and proton conductive. The shells may be formed of proton barrier materials as well as of electrochemically active materials in various configurations.

Abstract: This invention provides a side-chain-type polymer electrolyte exhibiting high ionic conductivity and a lithium secondary battery using the same. Such side-chain-type polymer electrolyte comprises a polymer structural unit represented by formula (1): wherein Rp represents an organic group obtained via polymerization of monomer compounds containing polymerizable unsaturated linkages or a polymerized organic group containing C, H, N, and O; m represents a value smaller than the polymerization degree of Rp; Y represents an organic group that binds to Rp; R1 represents a C1-10 alkylene group that allows Y to bind to Z; and Z represents a functional group having coordination ability with respect to a cation, provided that Z forms a coordination bond with a cation, wherein the polymer electrolyte has composition wherein a cation is added to a polymer having a side chain consisting of R1 and Z binding through Y to a polymer main chain consisting of Rp.

Abstract: A nonaqueous battery, such as a lithium ion battery, is formed from a polymer electrolyte comprising: a vinylidene fluoride copolymer comprises 90 to 97 wt. % of vinylidene fluoride monomer units and 3 to 10 wt. % of units of at least one monomer copolymerizable with the vinylidene fluoride monomer and has an inherent viscosity of 1.5 to 10 dl/g. The polymer electrolyte stably retains the nonaqueous electrolytic solution in a large amount and has excellent strength in this state.

Abstract: An IC card includes at least one plastic layer, a battery and at least one electronic device embedded in the plastic layer. The battery is electrically connected to the electronic device for providing power to the device. The battery includes an anode, a cathode, and at least one polymer matrix electrolyte (PME) separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The PME separator includes a polyimide, at least one lithium salt and at least one solvent all intermixed. The PME is substantially optically clear and stable against high temperature and pressure, such as processing conditions typically used in hot lamination processing or injection molding.

Abstract: Provided are an electrolyte comprising an amide compound of a specific structure, in which an alkoxy group is substituted with an amine group, and an ionizable lithium salt, and an electrochemical device containing the same. The electrolyte may have excellent thermal and chemical stability and a wide electrochemical window. Also, the electrolyte may have a sufficiently low viscosity and a high ionic conductivity, and thus, may be usefully applied as an electrolyte of electrochemical devices using various anode materials.

Abstract: An electrode/electrolyte assembly that has a well-integrated interface between an electrode and a solid polymer electrolyte film, which provides continuous, ionically-conducting and electronically insulating paths between the films is provided. A slurry is made containing active electrolyte material, a liquefied, ionically-conductive first polymer electrolyte with dissolved lithium salt, and conductive additive. The binder may have been liquefied by dissolving in a volatile solvent or by melting. The slurry is cast or extruded as a thin film and dried or cooled to form an electrode layer that has some inherent porosity. A liquefied second polymer electrolyte that includes a salt is cast over the electrode film. Some of the liquefied second polymer electrolyte fills at least some of the pores in the electrode film and the rest forms an electrolyte layer on top of the electrode film.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium ion secondary battery and a lithium ion secondary battery comprising the electrolyte. The electrolyte comprises a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and at least one aromatic phosphate compound. Exothermic reactions are inhibited in the battery upon overcharge or during high-temperature storage to prevent an increase in the temperature of the battery, resulting in an improvement in safety. In addition, the battery exhibits good swelling stability during high-temperature storage as well as improved cycle life characteristics. The electrolyte further comprises an ethylene carbonate-based compound. The presence of the ethylene carbonate-based compound leads to further improvements in the overcharge safety, high-temperature safety and cycle life characteristics of the battery.

Abstract: Lithium metal powder based inks are provided. The inks are provided in formulations suitable for printing using a variety of printing techniques, including screen printing, offset litho printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing, pad printing and inkjet printing. The inks include lithium metal powder, a polymer binder and optionally electrically conductive materials and/or lithium salts in a solvent. The inks are well suited for use in printing electrodes for use in lithium metal batteries. Batteries made from lithium powder based anodes and electronic applications such as RFID labels, Smart Cards and wearable medical devices are also provided.

Abstract: To provide a process for efficiently producing a perfluoropolymer having unstable terminal groups reduced. A process for producing a fluorination-treated perfluoropolymer, which comprises melting a thermoplastic perfluoropolymer to form strands and contacting the polymer strands with a fluorine gas. For fluorination-treatment of the perfluoropolymer, an apparatus 10 is used, which comprises a melt extruder 11 for melting and extruding the perfluoropolymer, a die 12 for forming the melt extruded polymer into continuous strands 1 and a fluorination tank 13 for contacting the continuous strands 1 with a fluorine gas.

Abstract: An all-solid lithium secondary battery has excellent reliability including safety. However, in general, its energy density or output density is lower than that achieved by liquid electrolyte systems. The all-solid lithium battery includes a lithium ion-conducting solid electrolyte as an electrolyte. The lithium ion-conducting solid electrolyte is mainly composed of a sulfide, and the surface of a positive electrode active material is coated with a lithium ion-conducting oxide. The advantages of the present invention are particularly significant when the positive electrode active material exhibits a potential of 3 V or more during operation of the all-solid lithium battery, i.e., when redox reaction occurs at a potential of 3 V or more.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid ionic conducting material which can be used as an electrolyte or as a component of a composite electrode. The material comprises a polymer matrix, at least one ionic species and at least one reinforcing agent. The polymer matrix is a solvating polymer optionally having a polar character, a non-solvating polymer carrying acidic ionic groups, or a mixture of a solvating or non-solvating polymer and an aprotic polar liquid. The ionic species is an ionic compound selected from salts and acids, said compound being in solution in the polymer matrix, or an anionic or cationic ionic group fixed by covalent bonding on the polymer, or a combination of the two. The reinforcing agent is a cellulosic material or a chitin.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte comprising (i) a non-aqueous solvent, especially mainly composed of a cyclic carbonate and a cyclic ester and optionally a linear carbonate, and (ii) an electrolyte salt, especially LiBF4, dissolved therein and (iii) a vinyl sulfone derivative having the formula (I): wherein R indicates a C1 to C12 alkyl group, C2 to C12 alkenyl group, or C3 to C6 cycloalkyl, and also a lithium secondary battery using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium secondary battery including a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode having a negative electrode active material, and a polymer electrolyte composition having a polymer electrolyte, a non-aqueous organic solvent, and a lithium salt. The content of the polymer electrolyte is 9 to 20 wt %, based on the total weight of the polymer electrolyte composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion-conducting material containing an oligoether sulfate. The material comprises an ionic compound dissolved in a solvating polymer. The ionic compound is a mixture of a lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and of at least one lithium oligoether sulfate chosen from the lithium oligoether monosulfates corresponding to the formula R—[O—CH2—CH2)]n—O—SO3?Li+(I) in which R is a group CmH2m+1 with 1?m?4 and 2?n?17, and the lithium oligoether disulfates corresponding to the formula Li+O?SO2—O—CH2—[CH2—O—CH2]p—CH2—O—SO2—O?Li+(II) in which 3?p?45; the overall ratio Ot/Lit is less than or equal to 40, Ot representing the total number of O atoms provided by the solvating polymer and by the oligoether; the content of LiTFSI is such that the Ot/LiTFSI ratio is greater than or equal to 20.

Abstract: A novel anode for a lithium battery cell is provided. The anode contains silicon nanoparticles embedded in a solid polymer electrolyte. The electrolyte can also act as a binder for the silicon nanoparticles. A plurality of voids is dispersed throughout the solid polymer electrolyte. The anode may also contain electronically conductive carbon particles. Upon charging of the cell, the silicon nanoparticles expand as take up lithium ions. The solid polymer electrolyte can deform reversibly in response to the expansion of the nanoparticles and transfer the volume expansion to the voids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer blend proton exchange membrane comprising a soluble polymer and a sulfonated polymer, wherein the soluble polymer is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polysulfone, polyethersulfone and polyvinylidene fluoride, the sulfonated polymer is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of sulfonated poly(ether-ether-ketone), sulfonated poly(ether-ketone-ether-ketone-ketone), sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether keton), sulfonated phenolphthalein poly(ether sulfone), sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyphosphazene and sulfonated polybenzimidazole, and wherein the degree of sulfonation of the sulfonated polymer is in the range of 96% to 118%. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing the polymer blend proton exchange membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid electrolyte with high ion-conductivity which is cheap and exhibits high conductivity in an alkaline form, and stably keeps high conductivity because of a small amount of the leak of a compound bearing conductivity even in a wet state. The invention is useful in an electrochemical system using the solid electrolyte, such as a fuel cell. The solid electrolyte with high ion-conductivity comprises a hybrid compound which contains at least polyvinyl alcohol and a zirconic acid compound, and also a nitrogen-containing organic compound having a structure of amine, quaternary ammonium compound and/or imine, obtained by hydrolyzing a zirconium salt or an oxyzirconium salt in a solution including water, polyvinyl alcohol, a zirconium salt or an oxyzirconium salt and a nitrogen-containing organic compound having a structure of amine, quaternary ammonium compound and/or imine coexist, removing a solvent and contacting with alkali.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyte for a secondary battery comprising an electrolyte salt and an electrolyte solvent, the electrolyte further comprising a lactam-based compound substituted with an electron withdrawing group (EWG) at the nitrogen position thereof. The electrolyte allows formation of a firm and dense SEI film on the surface of an anode, minimizes irreversible oxidative decomposition at a cathode, and thus can provide a battery with significantly improved lifespan, stability and high temperature characteristics.

Abstract: A polymer composition for a rechargeable lithium battery including a polymer of a first monomer selected from methylmethacrylate (MMA), acrylonitrile (AN), or a combination thereof, and a second monomer of ethylene oxide (EO), as well as a lithium salt.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane includes a cross-linking reaction product between a hydrophilic polymer and a cross-linking agent represented by Formula 1 below wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 alkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C20 aryl group, or substituted or unsubstituted C2-C20 heteroaryl group; and n is an integer in the range of 1 to 5. The polymer electrolyte membrane may be prepared by preparing a composition for forming a polymer electrolyte membrane including the hydrophilic polymer, the cross-linking agent represented by Formula 1 and a solvent, applying the composition for forming a polymer electrolyte membrane to a supporting substrate; and heat treating the composition for forming the polymer electrolyte membrane to form the polymer electrolyte membrane. A fuel cell or other device includes the polymer electrolyte membrane. The polymer electrolyte membrane has low solubility to a strong acid and excellent ionic conductivity.

Abstract: In the present invention, a material having a structure represented by formula (1) or (2) (wherein W equals N or C) is used as a solid electrolyte for a fuel cell. An electrolyte membrane having a small fuel crossover and a fuel cell having excellent ion conductivity and service capacity are obtained.

Abstract: An inexpensive and durable polymer electrolyte composition exhibiting high ionic conductivity even in the absence of water or a solvent, characterized by comprising a molten salt and an aromatic polymer having a carbonyl bond and/or a sulfonyl bond in the main chain thereof and containing a cation exchange group. The aromatic polymer is preferably an aromatic polyether sulfone having a specific structural unit and containing a cation exchange group, an aromatic polyether ketone having a specific structural unit and containing a cation exchange group, or an aromatic polyether sulfone block copolymer and/or an aromatic polyether ketone block copolymer, the block copolymers comprising a hydrophilic segment containing a cation exchange group and a cation exchange group-free hydrophobic segment. The polymer electrolyte composition containing the block copolymer as an aromatic polymer exhibits high structural retention even in high temperatures.

Abstract: To provide an electrolyte material for polymer electrolyte fuel cells having a high softening temperature and being excellent in durability, and an electrolyte membrane and a process for producing a membrane-electrode assembly using it. An electrolyte material made of a polymer containing a segment A of a polymer containing repeating units based on a perfluoromonomer having an ion exchange group and having a polymerizable double bond, at least one of carbon atoms in the polymerizable double bond being a carbon atom contained in an alicyclic structure, and a segment B of a fluoropolymer containing substantially no ion exchange group, and an electrolyte membrane and a membrane-electrode assembly using it.

Abstract: An aromatic-polyether-type ion conductive polymer membrane having improved mechanical strength is provided. An aromatic-polyether-type ion-conductive ultrahigh molecular weight polymer having an ion exchange capacity of 0.1 meq/g or higher and a structure comprising an aromatic-polyether-type ultrahigh molecular weight polymer in which an acid group introduced, said aromatic-polyether-type ultrahigh molecular weight polymer having at least one structural unit selected from those represented by the following formulas (1) and (2) and the sum of the number a of the structural unit of the formula (1) and the number b of the structural unit of the formula (2) being 2 or larger: Ar1—Om—Ar1??(1) Ar2—On—Ar2??(2).

Abstract: To provide an electrolyte polymer for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, made of a perfluorinated polymer having sulfonic groups, characterized in that in a test of immersing 0.1 g of the polymer in 50 g of a fenton reagent solution containing 3% of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and 200 ppm of bivalent iron ions at 40° C. for 16 hours, the amount of eluted fluorine ions detected in the solution is not more than 0.002% of the total amount of fluorine in the polymer immersed. The electrolyte polymer of the present invention has very few unstable terminal groups and has an excellent durability, and therefore, is suitable as a polymer constituting an electrolyte membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cells and a polymer contained in a catalyst layer.

Abstract: It has long been recognized that replacing the Li intercalated graphitic anode with a lithium foil can dramatically improve energy density due to the dramatically higher capacity of metallic lithium. However, lithium foil is not electrochemically stable in the presence of typical lithium ion battery electrolytes and thus a simple replacement of graphitic anodes with lithium foils is not possible. It was found that diblock or triblock polymers that provide both ionic conduction and structural support can be used as a stable passivating layer on a lithium foil. This passivation scheme results in improved manufacture processing for batteries that use Li electrodes and in improved safety for lithium batteries during use.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel organic/inorganic hybrid membranes which have the following composition: a polymer acid containing —SO3H, PO3H2, —COOH or B(OH)2 groups, a polymeric ease (optional), which contains primary, secondary or tertiary amino groups, pyridine groups, imidazole, benzimidazole, triazole, benzotriazole, pyrazole or benzopyrazole groups, either in the side chain or in the main chain; an additional polymeric base (optional) containing the aforementioned basic groups; an element or metal oxide or hydroxide, which has been obtained by hydrolysis and/or sol-gel reaction of an elementalorganic and/or metalorganic compound during the membrane forming process and/or by a re-treatment of the membrane in aqueous acidic, alkaline or neutral electrolytes. The invention also relates to methods for producing said membranes and to various uses for membranes of this type.

Abstract: An unsaturated compound including a urethane bond in a main chain and a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group, an alkylsulfonic acid group, or an alkylphosphoric acid group on a benzene ring in a side chain is provided. In addition, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane containing a compound prepared by polymerizing the above-mentioned compound and an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly including diffusion layers adhered on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane are provided. Furthermore, a solid polymer fuel cell using the electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly is provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solid electrolyte membrane made from an electrolyte composition that shows low methanol cross-over and exhibits high proton conductivity. The method includes applying an electrolyte composition including an organic solvent and a perfluorocyclobutane-containing polymer having a specific structure onto a substrate, and then removing the solvent. High proton conductivity is provided by sulfonic acid groups connected to the benzene rings. Reduction of methanol crossover is realized by introduction of a rigid structure with aromatic rings, or a combination of a rigid structure with aromatic rings and a three-dimensional cross-linked structure.