Having Sulfonic Acid Groups Patents (Class 429/493)
  • Patent number: 11970589
    Abstract: A composite proton conductive membrane, comprising an inorganic filler having covalently bonded acidic functional groups and a high surface area of at least 150 m2/g; and a water insoluble ionically conductive polymer. This membrane provides advantages over traditional polymeric proton conductive membranes for redox flow battery, fuel cell, and electrolysis applications include: 1) enhanced proton conductivity/permeance due to the formation of additional nanochannels for proton conducting; 2) improved proton/electrolyte selectivity for redox flow battery application; 3) reduced membrane swelling and gas or electrolyte crossover; 4) improved chemical stability; 5) increased cell operation time with stable performance, and 6) reduced membrane cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Chunqing Liu, Xueliang Dong, Chaoyi Ba
  • Patent number: 11912877
    Abstract: Compositions comprising Group 13 element-based coupling agents and/or aluminum-based substrates and methods for making such compositions are provided. Compositions herein further comprise an inorganic substrate, a functionalized polymer, or a combination thereof. Such compositions may further comprise a secondary coupling agent having two or more functional groups. Compositions comprising a particulate inorganic substrate dispersed in a polymer form composite materials having improved mechanical properties. Compositions comprising a monolithic inorganic substrate having at least one surface bonded to a polymer layer form articles having improved surface properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventors: Patrick Brant, Justin Smith
  • Patent number: 11783958
    Abstract: The conductive wiring material composition includes (A) a polymer compound having a repeating unit “a” which has a structure selected from an ammonium salt, a lithium salt, a sodium salt, a potassium salt and a silver salt of any of fluorosulfonic acid, fluorosulfonimide and fluorosulfonamide and (B) metal powder, wherein the component (B) is contained with an amount exceeding 50 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of a solid content of the conductive wiring material composition excluding the component (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Hatakeyama, Koji Hasegawa, Osamu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11772087
    Abstract: A membrane includes a first layer, and a second layer coupled to the first layer. The second layer includes a network of catalytic sites, each catalytic site having a catalytic center characterized by promoting a chemical reaction of a target material. A method of forming a chemically reactive membrane includes applying a first solution to a structure, the first solution includes a macrocyclic ligand having electron-donating ligands and a side functional group for crosslinking, crosslinking a plurality of the macrocyclic ligand to form a first network of crosslinked macrocyclic ligands, and applying a second solution to the structure, the second solution comprising a catalytic center. Each catalytic center complexes with the electron-donating ligands of each macrocyclic ligand to form catalytic sites in the first network of crosslinked macrocyclic ligands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Francesco Fornasiero, Edmond Y. Lau, Carlos A. Valdez
  • Patent number: 11296322
    Abstract: Graphene is formed with a practically uniform thickness on an uneven object. The object is immersed in a graphene oxide solution, and then taken out of the solution and dried; alternatively, the object and an electrode are immersed therein and voltage is applied between the electrode and the object used as an anode. Graphene oxide is negatively charged, and thus is drawn to and deposited on a surface of the object, with a practically uniform thickness. After that, the object is heated in vacuum or a reducing atmosphere, so that the graphene oxide is reduced to be graphene. In this manner, a graphene layer with a practically uniform thickness can be formed even on a surface of the uneven object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teppei Oguni, Takeshi Osada, Toshihiko Takeuchi, Kuniharu Nomoto
  • Patent number: 11201349
    Abstract: Presented are new, earth-abundant lithium superionic conductors, Li3Y(PS4)2 and L15PS4Cl2, that emerged from a comprehensive screening of the Li—P—S and Li—M—P—S chemical spaces. Both candidates are derived from the relatively unexplored quaternary silver thiophosphates. One key enabler of this discovery is the development of a first-of-its-kind high-throughput first principles screening approach that can exclude candidates unlikely to satisfy the stringent Li+ conductivity requirements using a minimum of computational resources. Both candidates are predicted to be synthesizable, and are electronically insulating. Systems and methods according to present principles enable new, all-solid-state rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Zhuoying Zhu, Shyue Ping Ong, Erik Wu, Han Nguyen, Ying Shirley Meng, Iek Heng Chu
  • Patent number: 10862151
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a crosslinked film and a hydrocarbon-based proton conducting solid electrolyte having a proton conductivity equal to that of a perfluorosulfonate ion exchange polymer. Disclosed as a means for solving this problem is a proton conducting polymer electrolyte which is composed of a sulfonated polyphenyl compound having a plurality of repeating units, and wherein two or more (for example, four or six) sulfonic groups are introduced into one repeating unit on average. The sulfonated polyphenyl compound may be a polymer or copolymer having a skeleton structure selected from among a polyaryl sulfide, a polyaryl ether, a polyarylsulfone, a polyarylketone and a polyaryl hexafluoroisopropylidene. A proton conducting solid polymer electrolyte membrane is able to be produced by shaping this proton conducting polymer electrolyte into a film form and crosslinking this proton conducting polymer electrolyte via sulfonic groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Jedeok Kim, Yaojian Zhang
  • Patent number: 10644315
    Abstract: Graphene is formed with a practically uniform thickness on an uneven object. The object is immersed in a graphene oxide solution, and then taken out of the solution and dried; alternatively, the object and an electrode are immersed therein and voltage is applied between the electrode and the object used as an anode. Graphene oxide is negatively charged, and thus is drawn to and deposited on a surface of the object, with a practically uniform thickness. After that, the object is heated in vacuum or a reducing atmosphere, so that the graphene oxide is reduced to be graphene. In this manner, a graphene layer with a practically uniform thickness can be formed even on a surface of the uneven object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teppei Oguni, Takeshi Osada, Toshihiko Takeuchi, Kuniharu Nomoto
  • Patent number: 10340509
    Abstract: An electrode assembly 10 includes an assembly 4 including an active material compact (active material section) 2 including an active material constituted of a transition metal oxide, a solid electrolyte layer (solid electrolyte section) 3 including a solid electrolyte having an ion-conducting property, and a multiple oxide layer (multiple oxide section) 5 including at least one of a metal multiple oxide represented by General Formula (II) below and a derivative thereof and a collector 1 provided so as to join the active material compact 2 on one surface (first surface) 41 of the assembly. Ln2Li0.5M0.5O4??(II) In the formula, Ln represents a lanthanoid element, and M represents a transition metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomofumi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10233323
    Abstract: Blends comprising a sulfonated block copolymer and particulate carbon are useful materials for membranes, films and coatings in applications which require high dimensional stability, high water vapor transport, high conductivity, and low flammability. The sulfonated block copolymer comprises at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one polymer interior block B wherein each A block contains essentially no sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups and each B block is a polymer block containing from about 10 to about 100 mol percent sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups based on the number of monomer units of the B block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Carl Lesley Willis, Kuitian Tan
  • Patent number: 10186725
    Abstract: An excellent polymer electrolyte composition has excellent chemical stability of being resistant to strong oxidizing atmosphere during operation of fuel cell, and achieves excellent proton conductivity under low-humidification conditions, excellent mechanical strength and physical durability. A polymer electrolyte membrane, a membrane electrode assembly, and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell each use the same. The polymer electrolyte composition contains an ionic group-containing polymer (A), a phosphorus-containing additive (B), and a nitrogen-containing aromatic additive (C), the phosphorus-containing additive (B) and the nitrogen-containing aromatic additive (C) being a compound represented by specific structural formulae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: Toray Industries, Inc., Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Hiroaki Umeda, Daisuke Izuhara, Yuka Fujieda, Jing Li, Yunsong Yang, Keping Wang
  • Patent number: 10056617
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes a wound electrode assembly in which a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet and a separator are stacked and wound. The positive electrode sheet is provided with a long positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer. The positive electrode active material layer is disposed on the positive electrode current collector. The negative electrode sheet is provided with a long negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer. The negative electrode active material layer is disposed on the negative electrode current collector. The separator is interposed between the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet. The negative electrode current collector has a first active material layer-free region at one edge of the negative electrode current collector in a winding direction of an axis of the wound electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hashimoto, Keisuke Ohara, Yuji Yokoyama, Yusuke Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 10050282
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel oxygen reduction catalyst having a good stability and a high oxygen reduction performance. The oxygen reduction catalyst includes: a conductive oxide; and an oxide(s), having oxygen holes and provided at least on the surface of the conductive oxide, of at least one or more transition metals selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Nb and Ta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: National University Corporation Yokohama National University
    Inventors: Kenichiro Ota, Akimitsu Ishihara, Shigenori Mitsushima, Makoto Hamazaki
  • Patent number: 9997791
    Abstract: The present invention relates to membrane electrode units (MEU) for high temperature fuel cells having an improved stability and a process for their manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Sigmar Bräuninger, Detlef Ott, Jörg Belack, Moritz Ehrenstein, Seonghan Yu, Andrew Van Dyke, Emory S. De Castro
  • Patent number: 9985309
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a hydrocarbon-based polymer electrolyte which is excellent in processability and proton conductivity, especially proton conductivity at low water content, and a membrane thereof. The polymer electrolyte contains, in its main chain, a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1): wherein Ar represents a benzene or naphthalene ring, or a derivative thereof in which one or more of the ring-forming carbon atoms is replaced by a hetero atom; X represents a proton or a cation; a and b are each an integer of 0 to 4, and the sum of a's and b's is 1 or greater; m represents an integer of 1 or greater; and n represents an integer of 0 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: KANEKA CORPORATION, UNIVERSITY OF YAMANASHI
    Inventors: Takahiro Miyahara, Masahiro Watanabe, Kenji Miyatake
  • Patent number: 9975995
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ion conducting polymer including a partially branched block copolymer; a method of preparing the same; an ion conductor including the ion conducting polymer; an electrolytic membrane including the ion conducting polymer; a membrane-electrode assembly comprising the electrolytic membrane, and a battery comprising the same; and a separation membrane for a redox flow battery including the ion conducting polymer, and a redox flow battery comprising same. Specifically, the partially branched block copolymer includes: a first block including a hydrophilic first polymer; a second block derived from a hydrophobic second polymer having two or more reactive groups respectively on its both ends, in such a way as to form branching points forming side branches on a main chain; and optionally a third block including a hydrophobic third polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Young Taik Hong, Jang Yong Lee, Tae Ho Kim, Duk Man Yu, Seog Je Kim
  • Patent number: 9929410
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to conducting polymer composites for use in electrochemical applications and electrolysis applications, and methods of making the same. A composite material is provided that includes a conducting polymer; and a silsesquioxane compound. The composite material is used to prepare ion conducting membranes and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ohio University
    Inventor: Anima B. Bose
  • Patent number: 9917301
    Abstract: Described herein are solid solution composites that are used as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. The solid solution composite of ? LiMVO4-?LiNi1-x-yCoxMnyO2, in which LiMVO4 has cubic close-packed structure, LiNi1-x-yCoxMnyO2 has hexagonal layered structure, and both share an oxygen lattice fully or partly. The new solid solution materials have advantage for lithium-ion batteries that the working voltage of the composite is adjustable by controlling the molar ratio of ? and ? and have higher working voltage than current secondary battery materials. Also described herein are methods of preparing such composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: NINGBO INSTITUTE OF MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, GUANGDONG KEPRIME ENERSTORE LTD
    Inventors: Jun Li, Jinhua He, Zhenlian Chen, Xianhui Zhang, Yuanhao Tang, Deyu Wang
  • Patent number: 9790339
    Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing a crosslinked sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) cation exchange membrane including: preparing a crosslinker mixture of a first crosslinker containing two or more vinyl oxy groups and a second crosslinker containing three or more vinyl groups; preparing a mother liquor containing the crosslinker mixture, a SPEEK polymer substituted with sodium, and a solvent; and casting the mother liquor and then irradiating radiation thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Junhwa Shin, Joon Yong Sohn, Ju-Myung Song, Sun-Young Lee, Hyun-Su Woo
  • Patent number: 9786943
    Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising an anode compartment which comprises an anode having a copper catalyst layer, a cathode configured as an air cathode and a separator interposed between said anode and said cathode, operable by an amine-derived fuel and oxygen (or air) is disclosed. Further disclosed are fuel cell systems comprising an anode compartment which comprises an anode having a copper catalyst layer, a cathode and a separator interposed between said anode and said cathode, which are operable by a mixture of two types of amine-derived compounds (e.g., ammonia borane, hydrazine and derivatives thereof). Also disclosed are methods of producing electric energy by, and electric-consuming devices containing and operable by, the disclosed fuel cell systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd., Tracense Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Fernando Patolsky, Boris Filanovsky, Eran Granot, Igor Presman, Ilia Kuras, Ricardo Osiroff, Opher Shapira
  • Patent number: 9786942
    Abstract: A membrane electrode includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a proton exchange membrane sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode includes a first gas diffusion layer and a first catalyst layer. The second electrode includes a second gas diffusion layer and a second catalyst layer. The first catalyst layer or the second catalyst layer includes a carbon nanotube-metal particle composite including carbon nanotubes, polymer layer, and metal particles. The polymer layer is coated on a surface of the carbon nanotubes and defines a plurality of pores uniformly distributed; the metal particles are located in the pores. A fuel cell including the membrane electrode is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian-Wei Guo, Xiao-Lin Xie, Cheng Wang, Xiang-Ming He, Wen-Juan Wei, Chen-Chen Zhao
  • Patent number: 9735442
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a proton-exchange membrane, and a cathode and anode fixed on its opposite sides. The anode delimits a flow conduit between a molecular-oxygen inlet area and a water outlet area. The cathode includes a support for catalyst material. The support has first and second materials to which catalyst is fixed, the first material being a graphitized material. The second material has a resistance to corrosion by oxygen that is greater than that of the first material. A quantity of the second material at the inlet area is greater than a quantity of the second material at the water outlet. The cathode comprises a first layer including the first material and a second layer including the second material. A thickness of the second layer decreases between the molecular-oxygen inlet area and the water outlet area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Remi Vincent, Sylvie Escribano, Alejandro Franco, Laure Guetaz, Guillaume Krosnicki
  • Patent number: 9720299
    Abstract: Multi-layer electrochromic structures, and processes for assembling such structures, incorporating a cross-linked ion conducting polymer layer that maintains high adhesive and cohesive strength in combination with high ionic conductivity for an extended period of time, the ion conducting polymer layer characterized by electrochemical stability at voltages between about 1.3 V and about 4.4 V relative to lithium, lithium ion conductivity of at least about 10?5 s/cm, and lap shear strength of at least 100 kPa, as measured at 1.27 mm/min in accordance with ASTM International standard D1002 or D3163.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Kinestral Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Timmerman, Mark Micklatcher, Justin Kerszulis
  • Patent number: 9498765
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes a new type of chemical reactor, described as hydrogen or oxygen electrochemical pumping catalytic membrane reactor. This new type of reactor is suitable for increasing the selectivity and the conversion rate of dehydrogenation, hydrogenation, deoxidation and oxidation reactions and namely in the direct amination reaction of hydrocarbons. This reactor can be used for the production of several chemical compounds, such as the direct amination of hydrocarbons and in particular for the synthesis of aniline from benzene. The disclosed subject matter includes a device and process wherein hydrogen is removed by electrochemical pumping of the hydrogen formed or by oxygen pumping so, as hydrogen is formed, it is oxidized. This new reactor exhibits benzene to aniline conversion higher than 40%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: CUF-QUIMICOS INDUSTRIAIS S.A.
    Inventor: Adélio Miguel Magalhães Mendes
  • Patent number: 9378900
    Abstract: A process for fabricating an electrochemical supercapacitor is disclosed herein. The process comprises depositing a carbon nanotube layer onto a first substrate; depositing a layer of metal oxide material onto the substrate forming a first electrode; depositing an electrolytic material onto the electrode; and joining the electrode to a first face of a solid electrolyte membrane such that the electrolytic material is disposed between the electrode and the electrolytic membrane. The carbon nanotubes, the metal oxide and the electrolytic material comprise distinct layers. An electrochemical supercapacitor fabricated by the above-referenced process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN IN RIGHT OF CANADA, REPRESENTED BY THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENCE
    Inventors: Jean Dumas, Daniel Belanger, Tarik Bordjiba
  • Patent number: 9376757
    Abstract: The present invention describes a diaphragm comprising SPEEK for alkaline electrolysis with a first layer having micropores and a second layer of macroporous channels which start at the contact surface between the first and the second layer then extending and forming the outer surface of the second layer, where said macroporous channels increase in section and change direction as they approach said outer surface of the second layer, and where the walls of the macrochannels are in turn macroporous. The invention also describes a production method for producing the diaphragm comprising the use of the chemically induced phase separation (CIPS) technique, and its use in alkaline electrolysis and in electrolyzers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignees: INGETEAM POWER TECHNOLOGY, S.A., ACCIONA ENERGÍA, S.A.
    Inventors: Isabel Carrilero Borbujo, Maria Santa Maria Iruzubieta, Manuel Arruebo Gordo, Jesus Otero Cebrian, Silvia Irusta Alderete, Javier Sese Monclus
  • Patent number: 9199205
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to ultrafiltration membranes comprising a membrane substrate layer (S) based on a sulfonated polyaryleneethersulfone polymer and to a method for their preparation. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to ultrafiltration processes making use of said membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignees: BASF SE, National University of Singapore
    Inventors: Martin Weber, Christian Maletzko, Natalia Widjojo, Peishan Zhong, Tai-Shung Chung
  • Patent number: 9120062
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to positively charged nanofiltration (NF) membranes comprising a substrate layer (S) based on a sulfonated polymer and a positively charged film layer (F) on top of said substrate, and to a method for their preparation. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to nanofiltration processes making use of said composite membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignees: BASF SE, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
    Inventors: Martin Weber, Christian Maletzko, Bernd Trotte, Peishan Zhong, Tai-Shung Chung
  • Patent number: 9101886
    Abstract: A small molecule or polymer additive can be used in preparation of a membrane electrode assembly to improve its durability and performance under low relative humidity in a fuel cell. Specifically, a method of forming a membrane electrode assembly comprising a proton exchange membrane, comprises providing an additive comprising at least two nitrogen atoms to the membrane electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Yunsong Yang, Jing Li, Keping Wang
  • Patent number: 9065109
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a composite material comprising a polymeric matrix and a filler consisting in ion exchange inorganic particles, comprising a step for synthesis in situ of said particles within the polymeric matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, INSTITUT NATIONAL DES SCIENCES APPLIQUEES
    Inventors: Pierrick Buvat, Philippe Mazabraud, Herve Galiano, Jannick Bigarre, Veronique Bounor-Legare, Frederick Niepceron, Jean-Francois Gerard
  • Patent number: 9040209
    Abstract: A multilayer polyelectrolyte membrane for fuel cell applications includes a first perfluorocyclobutyl-containing layer that includes a polymer having perfluorocyclobutyl moieties. The first layer is characteristically planar having a first major side and a second major side over which additional layers are disposed. The membrane also includes a first PFSA layer disposed over the first major side of the first layer and a second PFSA layer disposed over the second major side of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lijun Zou, Scott C. Moose, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Patent number: 9029492
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel superconducting hybrid polymer material and to the preparation method and uses thereof, particularly for proton superexchange membranes usable as fuel cell electrolytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Mihail-Dumitru Barboiu, Mathieu Michau
  • Patent number: 9023553
    Abstract: A multilayered membrane for use with fuel cells and related applications. The multilayered membrane includes a carrier film, at least one layer of an undoped conductive polymer electrolyte material applied onto the carrier film, and at least one layer of a conductive polymer electrolyte material applied onto the adjacent layer of polymer electrolyte material. Each layer of conductive polymer electrolyte material is doped with a plurality of nanoparticles. Each layer of undoped electrolyte material and doped electrolyte material may be applied in an alternating configuration, or alternatively, adjacent layers of doped conductive polymer electrolyte material is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Chemsultants International, Inc.
    Inventors: Pasco R. Santurri, James H. Duvall, Denise M. Katona, Joseph T. Mausar, Berryinne Decker
  • Patent number: 9023557
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for production of solutions of aminophosphonic acids and polymeric sulphonic acids in aprotic solvents. Membranes for membrane methodologies are produced from said solutions. Said membranes can also be doped with phosphoric acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Between Lizenz GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Häring
  • Patent number: 9005841
    Abstract: Provided are a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells, and a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell including the same. More specifically, provided is a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells including a hydrocarbon-based cation exchange resin having hydrogen ion conductivity and fibrous nanoparticles having a hydrophilic group. By using the fibrous nanoparticles having a hydrophilic group in conjunction with the hydrocarbon-based cation exchange resin having hydrogen ion conductivity, it is possible to obtain a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells that exhibits improved gas barrier properties and long-term resistance, without causing deterioration in performance of fuel cells, and a fuel cell including the polymer electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyuk Kim, Seong Ho Choi, Kyung A Sung, SangWoo Lee, Tae Geun Noh, Ji Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9005843
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte composition of a sulfonated block copolymer (A) having a hydrophilic segment with a sulfonic acid group and a hydrophobic segment with no sulfonic acid group, each segment having an aromatic ring is its main chain, and an aromatic polymer (B) having no sulfonic acid group with a structural unit that is identical to the structural unit contained in the hydrophobic segment of the sulfonated block copolymer is provided. The ion-exchange capacity of the composition can be in a range of 0.5 mmol/g to 2.9 mmol/g. Electrolyte membranes, membrane/electrolyte assemblies, and electrolyte fuel cells utilizing the polymer electrolyte composition are also provide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuji Hirano, Nobuharu Hisano, Tatsuya Arai, Masayuki Kinouchi
  • Patent number: 8993682
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte having high conductivity even under high-temperature low-humidification conditions (e.g. at a temperature of 100 to 120° C. and a humidity of 20 to 50% RH) and thereby makes it possible to realize a higher performance fuel cell. The present invention is a fluoropolymer electrolyte having an equivalent weight (EW) of not less than 250 but not more than 700 and a proton conductivity of not lower than 0.10 S/cm as measured at a temperature of 110° C. and a relative humidity of 50% RH and comprising a COOZ group- or SO3Z group-containing monomer unit, wherein Z represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, hydrogen atom or NR1R2R3R4 in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represents an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or hydrogen atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Asahi Kasei E-Materials Corporation, Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Kita, Takahiko Murai, Naoki Sakamoto, Naoto Miyake, Tadashi Ino, Noriyuki Shinoki, Masaharu Nakazawa, Masahiro Kondo, Takashi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8993193
    Abstract: New proton conducting membranes are made of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers films that have been treated by exposing them to a chlorosulfonating agent. The membranes are used as a proton exchange membrane in PEM fuel cells operating at temperatures above 95° C., or at low relative humidity. In various embodiments, the treated films have superior physical properties such as tensile strength, when compared to an untreated film. In some embodiments, the ion exchange capacity (IEC) of the treated films is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Beba T. Dobulis
  • Patent number: 8980499
    Abstract: Provided is a polyimide-based proton-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane having high methanol permeation resistance property (methanol blocking property). The proton-conductive polymer electrolyte membrane includes, as a main component, a polyimide resin formed by polycondensation of a tetracarboxylic dianhydride, a first aromatic diamine having a proton-conductive group, and a second aromatic diamine having no proton-conductive group. The second aromatic diamine has a fused ring skeleton composed of three or more rings. This electrolyte membrane is suitable for use in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), in particular in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru Sugitani, Hiroyuki Nishii, Akira Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20150072252
    Abstract: The fuel cell membrane is a polymer electrolyte (or polyelectrolyte) membrane formed from a blend of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and phosphonated polysulfone in the ester form (PPSU-E), where the sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) and the phosphonated polysulfone each form about 50 wt % of the polyelectrolyte membrane. The polyelectrolyte membrane is made by dissolving a mixture of SPEEK and PPSU in the ester form (PPSU-E) in dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at room temperature to form a solution. The SPEEK/PPSU-E mixture has a concentration of between about 10 wt % and about 15 wt % in the solution. The solution is then stirred and left to release air bubbles therefrom. The DMAc is then evaporated from the solution, leaving the resultant polyelectrolyte membrane, which is then washed and dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: NEDAL Y. ABU-THABIT, SAYED MOHAMMED JAVAID ZAIDI, SHAIKH ASROF ALI, KHALED MEZGHANI
  • Patent number: 8962216
    Abstract: An ion-conducting composite electrolyte membrane with strength improved without impairing ionic conductivity, and a fuel cell using the same are provided. The proton conductive composite electrolyte membrane includes an electrolyte which includes an ion-dissociating functional group and is made of a fullerene derivative or sulfonated pitch within a range of 5 wt % to 85 wt % both inclusive, and a binder which has a weight-average molecular weight of 550000 or over and a logarithmic viscosity of 2 dL/g or over, and is made of a fluorine-based polymer such as polyvinylidene fluoride and a copolymer of polyvinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene within a range of 15 wt % to 95 wt % both inclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takuro Hirakimoto, Kazuaki Fukushima, Kenji Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 8951694
    Abstract: A novel approach based on the increase of the intrinsic oxidative stability of uncrosslinked membranes is addressed. The co-grafting of styrene with methacrylonitrile (MAN), which possesses a protected ?-position and strong dipolar pendant nitrile group, onto 25 ?m ETFE base film is disclosed. Styrene/MAN co-grafted membranes were compared to styrene based membrane in durability tests in single H2/O2 fuel cells. The incorporation of MAN improves the chemical stability dramatically. The membrane preparation based on the copolymerization of styrene and MAN shows encouraging results and offers the opportunity of tuning the MAN and crosslinker content to enhance the oxidative stability of the resulting fuel cell membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Paul Scherrer Institut
    Inventors: Hicham Ben-Youcef, Lorenz Gubler, Dirk Henkensmeier
  • Publication number: 20150037708
    Abstract: A polymer including a reaction product of a sulfonated polyarylene ether sulfone and at least one compound selected from a sulfonated compound having a thiol group at a terminal thereof and a sulfonated compound having a hydroxy group at a terminal thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Seong-woo CHOI, Chan-ho PAK, Ki-hyun KIM, Jong-chan LEE
  • Patent number: 8932782
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of sol-gel modified alternative Nafion-Silica composite membrane useful for polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The said composite membrane is made by embedding silica particles in perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer by a process that circumvents the use of added acid while using acidic characteristics of Nafion and polymerization reaction through a sol-gel route. The composite membrane has high affinity for water with capability to exchange protons. The approach may be used to manufacture polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells operating at elevated temperatures under near-zero humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Akhila Kumar Sahu, Ganesh Selvarani, Sethuraman Pitchumani, Parthasarathi Sridhar, Ashok Kumar Shukla
  • Patent number: 8921004
    Abstract: A composition for filling an ion exchange membrane including a first aromatic vinyl monomer having a halogenated alkyl group or a quaternary ammonium salt group, a method of preparing the ion exchange membrane, an ion exchange membrane prepared using the method, and a redox flow battery including the ion exchange membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung-jin Lee, Joung-won Park, Duk-jin Oh, Doo-yeon Lee, Moon-sung Kang, Ji-su Kim, Hyeon-jung Cha
  • Publication number: 20140377686
    Abstract: Provided are: a practically excellent polymer electrolyte composition having excellent chemical stability of being resistant to strong oxidizing atmosphere during operation of fuel cell, and achieving excellent proton conductivity under low-humidification conditions, excellent mechanical strength and physical durability; a polymer electrolyte membrane, a membrane electrode assembly, and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell each using the same. The polymer electrolyte composition of the present invention comprises at least an ionic group-containing polymer (A) and a phosphorus-containing additive (B), the phosphorus-containing additive (B) being at least one of a phosphine compound and a phosphinite compound. The polymer electrolyte membrane, the membrane electrode assembly, and the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention are structured by the polymer electrolyte composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Daisuke Izuhara, Tomoyuki Kunita, Yuka Yachi
  • Publication number: 20140363754
    Abstract: Provided are a polymer electrolyte composition, an electrolyte membrane, a membrane electrolyte assembly, and a fuel cell. The polymer electrolyte composition according to an exemplary embodiment of this application includes a first solvent, a second solvent which is different from the first solvent, and a polymer which is reacted with the first solvent and the second solvent, in which the polymer includes a functional group which reacts with the first solvent by a first reaction energy and with the second solvent by a second reaction energy, and the second reaction energy is smaller than the first reaction energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Seong Ho Choi, Hye Mi Kim, Hye Sung Cho, Hyuk Kim, Youngcheol Choi, Sangwoo Lee, Tae Geun Noh, Kyunga Sung, Doyoung Kim, Minkyu Min
  • Patent number: 8906572
    Abstract: A polymer-electrolyte membrane is presented. The polymer-electrolyte membrane comprises an acid-functional polymer, and an additive incorporated in at least a portion of the membrane. The additive comprises a fluorinated cycloaliphatic additive, a hydrophobic cycloaliphatic additive, or combinations thereof, wherein the additive has a boiling point greater than about 120° C. An electrochemical fuel cell including the polymer-electrolyte membrane, and a related method, are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lakshmi Krishnan, Gary William Yeager, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik
  • Patent number: 8906560
    Abstract: Organic/inorganic complex proton conductors are provided which display high proton conductivity over a wide temperature range. Electrodes for fuel cells which include the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors are also provided. The invention also advantageously provides electrolyte membranes for fuel cells including the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors, and fuel cells including the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung-Jin Lee, Tae-young Kim, Pil-won Heo
  • Publication number: 20140329169
    Abstract: Provided are a hydroxyl group-containing sulfonated polyethersulfone copolymer, a method for preparing the same, a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell, and a membrane electrode assembly including the same. More particularly, provided are a hydroxyl group-containing sulfonated polyethersulfone electrolyte membrane and a membrane electrode assembly including the same, which are applied to a fuel cell to provide significantly higher ion conductivity as compared to the sulfonated polymer electrolyte membranes according to the related art. The hydroxyl group-containing sulfonated polyethersulfone copolymer electrolyte membrane shows significantly higher ion conductivity under various temperature and humidity conditions as compared to the sulfonated polymer electrolyte membranes according to the related art. Therefore, it is expected that the hydroxyl group-containing sulfonated polyethersulfone copolymer substitutes for expensive fluoropolymer electrolyte membranes such as Nafion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hyoung-Juhn KIM, Yeon Hye KWON, Jun Young HAN, Hyung Chul HAM, Jong Hyun JANG, Suk Woo NAM, Eun Ae CHO, Sung Jong YOO, Chang Won YOON