Fluoropolymer Patents (Class 429/494)
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Patent number: 9017900Abstract: A method, according to one embodiment, includes acquiring a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst along one side thereof, adding an anode that extends along at least part of a length of the structure, and adding a cathode that extends along at least part of the length of the structure, the cathode being on an opposite side of the hollow fiber as the anode.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Kevin C. Langry, Joseph C. Farmer
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Fluorine containing ionomer composite with ion exchange function, preparation method and use thereof
Patent number: 9012106Abstract: Provided is a composite which is comprised of one or more ion exchange resin(s) and a porous fluorine containing polymer membrane (2), wherein the porous membrane and the resin form a carbon-chain crosslinked structure, so that the film prepared from the composite is of good airtightness and stability, as well as high ion exchange capacity and high conductivity. The preparation method of the composite, the product prepared from this composite and the application thereof are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2010Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Shandong Huaxia Shenzhou New Material Co., LtdInventors: Yongming Zhang, Junke Tang, Ping Liu, Heng Zhang, Jun Wang -
Patent number: 8993682Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignees: 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
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Patent number: 8993193Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 5, 2005Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Beba T. Dobulis
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Publication number: 20150064602Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer electrolyte membrane, a method for manufacturing the same and a membrane-electrode assembly comprising the same, the polymer electrolyte membrane includes a hydrocarbon-containing ion conductive layer; and a fluorine-containing ion conductor discontinuously dispersed on the hydrocarbon-containing ion conductive layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Moo Seok Lee, Yong Cheol Shin, Na Young Kim, Dong Hoon Lee
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Patent number: 8962216Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Takuro Hirakimoto, Kazuaki Fukushima, Kenji Kishimoto
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Patent number: 8962215Abstract: An electrolyte membrane which comprises a cation exchange membrane made of a polymer having cation exchange groups and contains cerium ions is used as an electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In a case where the cation exchange membrane has sulfonic acid groups, the sulfonic acid groups are ion-exchanged, for example, with cerium ions so that cerium ions are contained preferably in an amount of from 0.3 to 20% of —SO3? groups contained in the cation exchange membrane. A membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell capable of power generation in high energy efficiency, having high power generation performance regardless of the dew point of the feed gas and capable of stable power generation over a long period of time, can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Eiji Endoh, Shinji Terazono
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Patent number: 8951694Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Paul Scherrer InstitutInventors: Hicham Ben-Youcef, Lorenz Gubler, Dirk Henkensmeier
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Patent number: 8932782Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial ResearchInventors: Akhila Kumar Sahu, Ganesh Selvarani, Sethuraman Pitchumani, Parthasarathi Sridhar, Ashok Kumar Shukla
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Publication number: 20150004527Abstract: A process for producing an ion exchange precursor resin membrane involves co-extruding an ion exchange precursor resin with an incompatible polymer to form a multilayer film having a layer of the ion exchange precursor resin supported on a layer of the incompatible polymer. The layer of incompatible polymer is then removed from the layer of ion exchange precursor resin to provide the ion exchange precursor resin membrane. The ion exchange precursor resin membrane may be converted to an ion exchange resin membrane by hydrolysis, and subsequent acidification if desired. Ion exchange resin membranes and ion exchange precursor resin membranes having a uniform thickness of 25 microns or less may be formed by the process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Asmae Mokrini, Francois Vachon, Jacques Dufour
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Publication number: 20140377687Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a redox flow secondary battery being low in the electric resistance and excellent in the current efficiency as well, and further having the durability. The present invention relates to an electrolyte membrane for a redox flow secondary battery, the electrolyte membrane containing an ion-exchange resin composition containing a fluorine-based polyelectrolyte polymer, and having an ion cluster diameter of 1.00 to 2.95 nm as measured in water at 25° C. by a small angle X-ray method, and to a redox flow secondary battery using the electrolyte membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2012Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Naoto Miyake, Kiyoaki Moriuchi, Michiru Kubata
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Publication number: 20140363754Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Seong Ho Choi, Hye Mi Kim, Hye Sung Cho, Hyuk Kim, Youngcheol Choi, Sangwoo Lee, Tae Geun Noh, Kyunga Sung, Doyoung Kim, Minkyu Min
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Patent number: 8906572Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lakshmi Krishnan, Gary William Yeager, Grigorii Lev Soloveichik
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Publication number: 20140342268Abstract: The problem addressed by the present invention is to obtain an electrolyte membrane that, as an electrolyte membrane for a redox flow secondary battery, is able to suppress the ion permeability of an active substance without detracting from proton (H+) permeability, has superior ion-selective permeability, has low electrical resistivity, and has superior current efficiency. The present invention solves the abovementioned problem by means of the electrolyte membrane for a redox flow secondary battery containing a perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid resin having a specific structure and an equivalent weight (EW), and the ion conductivity being adjusted to a predetermined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: ASAHIKASEIE-MATERIALS CORPORATIONInventors: Akihiro Kato, Naoto Miykae
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Patent number: 8889316Abstract: The invention relates to composite blend membranes formed from blends of one or more polyelectrolytes, and one or more types of nanoparticles. Preferably the blend also includes one or more fluoropolymers. The addition of the nanoparticles was found to enhance the conductivity and mechanical properties of the membranes.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Arkema Inc.Inventors: James Carson Meredith, III, Pedro Jose Zapata, James T. Goldbach, David A. Mountz
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Publication number: 20140329162Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell is provided that includes a membrane, electrodes on both sides of the membrane, respectively, and sub-gaskets bonded to the edges of the electrodes, respectively. In particular, the sub-gasket may be bonded to the membrane at a predetermined distance from the edge of the electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2013Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Young Taek Kim, Inchul Hwang, Nak Hyun Kwon, Ju Ho Lee, Sang-Uk Kim, Jin-Young Kim, Dong Il Kim, Chang-Hyeong Lee
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Publication number: 20140315117Abstract: An ion-conducting membrane including a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer includes a perfluorosulphonic acid polymer and the second layer includes a sulphonated hydrocarbon polymer, characterised in that the ion-conducting membrane has a total thickness of from 5 ?m to 50 ?m and the second layer has a total thickness of 2 ?m or less is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2012Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Rachel Louise O'Malley, Nadia Michele Permogorov, Michael Ian Petch
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Patent number: 8835076Abstract: In a fuel cell 1 including a membrane electrode assembly 2 which includes a reinforcing-membrane-type electrolyte membrane 10A, a dry-up on the anode side is suppressed by actively forming a water content gradient in the electrolyte membrane to enhance water back-diffusion effect from the cathode side to the anode side. For that purpose, two sheets of expanded porous membranes 12a and 12b having different porosities are buried, as reinforcing membranes, in electrolyte resin 11 to obtain the reinforcing-membrane-type electrolyte membrane 10A. The reinforcing-membrane-type electrolyte membrane 10A is used to form the membrane electrode assembly 2, which is sandwiched by separators 20 and 30 such that the side of a reinforcing membrane 12b with a larger porosity becomes the cathode side, thus obtaining the fuel cell 1. When one sheet of the reinforcing membrane is buried, the reinforcing membrane is offset to the anode side to be buried in the electrolyte resin.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kyojiro Inoue, Shinya Takeshita
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Publication number: 20140242477Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte membrane that suppresses swelling and shrinkage caused by water retained in the electrolyte membrane for a solid polymer-type fuel cell, improves the durability of the electrolyte membrane, and obtains excellent power generation characteristics with a low resistance. The electrolyte membrane for a solid polymer-type fuel cell includes, as a reinforcing membrane, a nonwoven fabric composed of an electrolyte material and PVDF bicomponent fibers 2a, thereby improving the durability of the electrolyte membrane. Furthermore, the bicomponent fiber 2a has pores 23 that can effectively retain generated water, thereby improving battery performance under the condition of a low humidity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2012Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Shinya Kikuzumi, Masahiro Mori
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Patent number: 8785013Abstract: Compositions containing modified fullerenes and their use, for example, as films for membranes in electrode assemblies for electrochemical cells and fuel cells such as fuel cells are described.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Paul J. Krusic, Helen S. M. Lu, Zhen-Yu Yang
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Publication number: 20140199604Abstract: A composition comprising at least one fluorinated polymer comprising —SO2X functional groups, wherein X is selected from X? or from OM and wherein X? is selected from the group consisting of F, CI, Br, I and M is selected from the group consisting of H, alkaline metals, NH4, and at least one fluorinated aromatic compound. Ion conducting membranes comprising the composition have improved resistance towards radical degradation in fuel cell applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS ITALY S.p.A.Inventors: Marco Avataneo, Claudio Oldani, Giuseppe Marchionni
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Publication number: 20140193741Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells and a membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell including the same. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a fluorine-based cation exchange resin having proton conductivity and fibrous nanoparticles having a hydrophilic group. By using the fluorine-based cation exchange resin having proton conductivity and the fibrous nanoparticles having a hydrophilic group in combination, performance of a fuel cell including the polymer electrolyte membrane is not deteriorated and the polymer electrolyte membrane prevents gases from permeating thereinto and has enhanced durability for extended use. A fuel cell including the above-described polymer electrolyte membrane is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2012Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.Inventors: Kyung A. Sung, Hyuk Kim, Seong Ho Choi, Sang Woo Lee, Tae Geun Noh, Do Young Kim, Min Kyu Min
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Patent number: 8771897Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell. The electrolyte membrane includes a blend of polymers with different degrees of sulfonation. The electrolyte membrane can exhibit excellent effects such as improved long-term cell performance and good long-term dimensional stability while at the same time solving the problems of conventional hydrocarbon electrolyte membranes. Further disclosed are a membrane-electrode assembly and a fuel cell including the electrolyte membrane.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Hyoung-Juhn Kim, Soo-Kil Kim, Eun Ae Cho, Jong Hyun Jang, Sung Pil Yoon, In Hwan Oh, Jonghee Han, Seong Ahn Hong, Suk-Woo Nam, Tae Hoon Lim
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Patent number: 8771899Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst coupled to the hollow fiber, an anode extending along at least part of a length of the structure, and a cathode extending along at least part of the length of the structure, the cathode being on an opposite side of the hollow fiber as the anode. In another embodiment, a method includes acquiring a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst along one side thereof, adding an anode that extends along at least part of a length of the structure, and adding a cathode that extends along at least part of the length of the structure on an opposite side as the anode.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.Inventors: Kevin C. Langry, Joseph C. Farmer
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Publication number: 20140162173Abstract: An aspect of the invention is directed to a polymer comprising a sulfonated perfluorocyclopentyl compound. Another aspect of the invention is directed to a sulfonated copolymer comprising one or more sulfonated polymers. A further aspect of the invention is directed to membranes prepared from the polymers of the claimed invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas SystemInventors: Dennis W. Smith, JR., Daniel K. Dei, John P Ferraris, Kenneth J. Balkus, Inga H. Musselman, Duck J. Yang, Grace Jones D. Kalaw, Babloo Sharma
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Patent number: 8722280Abstract: A hyper-branched polymer having a degree of branching in the range of about 0.05 to about 1 includes a dendritic unit, a linear unit, and a terminal unit, wherein the hyper-branched polymer, an electrode for a fuel cell including the hyper-branched polymer, an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell including the hyper-branched polymer, and a fuel cell including at least one of the electrode and the electrolyte membrane. Such a hyper-branched polymer included in a fuel cell provides excellent thermal resistance and phosphoric acid resistance and increase the performance of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SNU R&DB FoundationInventors: Seong-woo Choi, Cheol-hee Ahn, Jung-ock Park, Mi-jung Yim
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Publication number: 20140093808Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane additionally comprises cerium cations. In another aspect, a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein at least a portion of the anionic functional groups are in acid form and at least a portion of the anionic functional groups are neutralized by cerium cations. In another aspect, a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane additionally comprises cerium cations, and wherein the amount of cerium cations present is between 0.001 and 0.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Matthew H. Frey, Daniel M. Pierpont, Steven J. Hamrock
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Patent number: 8685575Abstract: The invention disclosed is a catalyst composition for an air cathode for use in an electrochemical cell, in particular in alkaline electrolyte metal-air e.g. zinc-air, fuel cells. The catalyst composition comprises an active material CoTMMP and silver, supported on carbon wherein the ratio of silver to CoTMPP is 1:1 to 2.4:1. Optional ingredients include a hydrophobic and a hydrophobic bonding agent, MnO2, WC/Co or both. The catalyst composition is supported on microporous support layer and nickel foam or mesh to form an air cathode.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: National Research Council of CanadaInventors: Vladimir Neburchilov, Haijiang Wang, Wei Qu
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Patent number: 8685591Abstract: A dispersion composition including a fluorine-containing ion exchange resin having a repeating unit represented by the formulae (1) and a repeating unit represented by the formulae (2), and having an equivalent weight of 400 to 1000 g/eq; and a solvent comprising water, wherein Z represents H, Cl, F, or a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; m represents an integer of 0 to 12; and n represents an integer of 0 to 2, and wherein an abundance ratio of a resin having a particle size of 10 ?m or more in the fluorine-containing ion exchange resin is 0.1% to 80% by volume.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Asahi Kasei E-materials CorporationInventors: Takahiko Murai, Kohei Kita, Naoki Sakamoto
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Publication number: 20140080031Abstract: A supported membrane for fuel cell applications includes a first expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support and a second expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support. Both the first and second expanded polytetrafluoroethylene supports independently have pores with a diameter from about 0.1 to about 1 microns and a thickness from about 4 to 12 microns. The supported membrane also includes an ion conducting polymer adhering to the first expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support and the second expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support such that the membrane has a thickness from about 10 to 25 microns.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Lijun Zou, Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
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Publication number: 20140065514Abstract: A method of making an ion conducting membrane includes a step of reacting a compound having formula 1 with a polymer having polymer segment 2: to form a copolymer having polymer segment 2 and polymer segment 3: and The copolymer having polymer segment 2 and polymer segment 3 are then formed into an ion conducting membrane, wherein Z is a C6-80 aliphatic, polyether, or perfluoropolyether; Y is a divalent linking group; E0 is a hydrocarbon-containing moiety; Q1 is a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety; P1, P2 are each independently absent, —O—, —S—, —SO—, —CO—, —SO2—, —NH—, NR2—, or —R3—; R2 is C1-25 alkyl, C1-25 aryl or C1-25 arylene; and R3 is C1-25 alkylene, C1-25 perfluoroalkylene, perfluoroalkyl ether, alkylether, or C1-25 arylene.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
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Patent number: 8663866Abstract: A proton exchange membrane and a membrane electrode assembly for an electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell are provided. A catalytically active component is disposed within the membrane electrode assembly. The catalytically active component comprises particles containing a metal oxide such as silica, metal or metalloid ions such as ions that include boron, and a catalyst. A process for increasing peroxide radical resistance in a membrane electrode is also provided that includes the introduction of the catalytically active component described into a membrane electrode assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Kimberly Gheysen Raiford, Junaid Ahmed Siddiqui
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Patent number: 8658329Abstract: A method of preparing advanced membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for use in fuel cells. A base polymer is selected for a base membrane. An electrode composition is selected to optimize properties exhibited by the membrane electrode assembly based on the selection of the base polymer. A property-tuning coating layer composition is selected based on compatibility with the base polymer and the electrode composition. A solvent is selected based on the interaction of the solvent with the base polymer and the property-tuning coating layer composition. The MEA is assembled by preparing the base membrane and then applying the property-tuning coating layer to form a composite membrane. Finally, a catalyst is applied to the composite membrane.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLCInventors: Yu Seung Kim, Byran S. Pivovar
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Patent number: 8653297Abstract: A solid acid having a core of calixarene or calix resorcinarene. The solid acid is an ion conducting compound in which at least one of the hydroxyl groups is substituted by an organic group having a cation exchange group at a terminal end, a polymer electrolyte membrane including the same, and a fuel cell using the polymer electrolyte membrane. The polymer electrolyte membrane can provide low methanol crossover and high ionic conductivity. Accordingly, a fuel cell having high efficiency can be obtained by using the polymer electrolyte membrane.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae-jun Lee, Myung-sup Jung, Do-yun Kim, Jin-gyu Lee, Sang-kook Mah
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Patent number: 8652706Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell includes a polymer matrix comprising a cross-linked curable oligomer with nano-sized proton conductive polymer particles in the polymer matrix. The curable oligomer may include unsaturated functional groups at each end of a chain, and may further include 3 to 14 ethylene oxides. The proton conductive polymer nano particles may include fluorine-based proton conductive polymer nano particles, non-fluorine-based proton conductive polymer nano particles, hydrocarbon-based proton conductive polymer nano particles, and combinations.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Min-Kyu Song
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Publication number: 20140023953Abstract: Disclosed is a proton conducting polymer membrane formed by laminating a plurality of solid electrolyte membranes. This proton conducting polymer membrane is one prepared by laminating at least one layer of a solid electrolyte membrane formed by using a resin having a bis(perfluoroalkanesulfonyl)methide group in the chemical structure. This solid electrolyte membrane has a superior proton conductivity without transmitting the fuel (methanol or hydrogen).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Central Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Toru Tanaka, Katsutoshi Suzuki, Haruhiko Komoriya, Arata Takahashi, Saori Itabashi
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Patent number: 8632926Abstract: Provided are a solid proton conductor and a fuel cell including the solid proton conductor. The solid proton conductor includes a polymer providing a proton source, and a polymer solvent providing a proton path.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Myung-jin Lee, Moon-sung Kang
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Publication number: 20140017599Abstract: A process for the preparation of cross-linked fluorinated polymers comprising sulfonic acid functional groups comprising the steps of: a) providing at least one fluorinated polymer (P) comprising at least one —SO3M functional group and less than 2% of —SO2F functional groups with respect to the total amount of —SO3M and —SO2F functional groups, wherein each M is selected from H and alkaline metals; and b) reacting said fluorinated polymer with at least one cross-linking agent of formula R(X)n under conditions that promote the formation of covalent bonds between the at least one functional group —SO3M of fluorinated polymer (P) and at least one functional group X of the cross-linking agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS ITALY S.P.A.Inventors: Luca Merlo, Claudio Oldani
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Publication number: 20140004445Abstract: A bilayer complex proton exchange membrane and a membrane electrode assembly are provided. The bilayer complex proton exchange membrane includes a first complex structure and a second complex structure. The first complex structure includes 0.001-10 wt % of a graphene derivative with two dimension configuration, and 99.999-90 wt % of organic material. The organic material includes polymer material having sulfonic acid group or phosphate group. The second complex structure includes 0.5-30 wt % of inorganic material and 99.5-70 wt % of organic material, wherein a surface area of the inorganic material is 50-3000 m2/g, and the organic material includes polymer material with sulfonic acid group or phosphate group.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Li-Duan Tsai, Chiu-Ping Huang, Li-Fu Huang, Shih-Wen Chen
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Patent number: 8617764Abstract: Provided are an ion conductive resin fiber, an ion conductive hybrid membrane, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell. The ion conductive resin fiber comprises an inner layer including an ion conductive resin; and an outer layer including an ion conductive resin having larger EW than the ion conductive resin of the inner layer, and surrounding the inner layer. The ion conductive resin fiber and the ion conductive hybrid membrane are excellent in ion conductivity, polar solvent stability and dimensional stability under low humidity conditions. The fuel cell manufactured using the same has advantages of stable operation and management of a system at ease, removal or reduction of components related to water management, and even in case of low relative humidity, operation at high temperature of 80° C. or higher.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Go-Young Moon, Won-Ho Lee, Sang-Hyun Lee, Young-Il Choi, Hyuk Kim
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Patent number: 8617765Abstract: Ionomeric polymers that are chemically stabilized and contain inorganic fillers are prepared, and show reduced degradation. The ionomers care useful in membranes and electrochemical cells.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventor: Mark Gerrit Roelofs
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Patent number: 8603698Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyte for fuel cells, which is mainly composed of a copolycondensate of a polyimide having an alkoxysilyl group at an end and an alkoxysilane having an ion-conducting group. Also disclosed are an electrolyte membrane for fuel cells, a binder for fuel cells and a membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells, each using the electrolyte, and a fuel cell using such a membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells. The electrolyte enables to obtain an electrolyte membrane, a binder and a membrane electrode assembly, each having high ion conductivity, high strength, high toughness, low swelling and low fuel permeability suitable for fuel cells. By using such an electrolyte, there can be obtained a low-cost fuel cell having high output power and high durability.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2008Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nobuo Kawada
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Publication number: 20130323621Abstract: This material suitable for constituting an electrolyte for a fuel cell has a hydrophobic matrix comprising carbon, fluorine, oxygen and hydrogen, and silicon.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie AtomiqueInventor: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique
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Patent number: 8597855Abstract: An electrolyte material, which comprises a polymer (H) having ion exchange groups converted from precursor groups in a polymer (F) having repeating units (A) having a precursor group represented by the formula (g1) and repeating units (B) based on a perfluoromonomer having a 5-membered ring, and having a density of at most 2.03 g/cm3, the polymer (H) having an ion exchange capacity of from 1.3 to 2.3 meq/g dry resin: wherein Q1 and Q2 are a perfluoroalkylene group having an etheric oxygen atom, or the like, and Y is F or the like; the electrolyte material being suitable for a catalyst layer of the membrane/electrode assembly; the membrane/electrode assembly being excellent in power generation characteristics under low or no humidity conditions and under high humidity conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Satoru Hommura, Susumu Saito, Tetsuji Shimohira, Atsushi Watakabe
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Patent number: 8592095Abstract: A high molecular nanocomposite membrane for a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC), and a Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA) and a methanol fuel cell including the same membrane. The high molecular nanocomposite membrane for a DMFC includes a perflurorosulfonic acid polymer (Nation®), high molecular membrane in which hydrophobic silica nanoparticles made from a silane compound having a water repellent functional group are dispersed. Since the high molecular nanocomposite membrane for a DMFC has lower permeability of methanol than a commercially available Nation® high molecular membrane, the MEA fabricated using the high molecular nanocomposite membrane has little crossover of reaction fuel at the negative electrode. In addition, the methanol fuel electrode fabricated using the MEA that includes the high molecular nanocomposite membrane can decrease fuel loss and voltage loss.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Kumoh National Institute of Technology Industry-Academic Cooperation FoundationInventors: Yong-il Park, Eun Hyung Kim, Sung Bum Park
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Patent number: 8586266Abstract: First, second and third dopes each of which contains a solid electrolyte and an organic solvent are cast from a casting die provided with a feed block to a moving belt. A three-layer casting membrane is peeled off from the belt as a three-layer membrane containing the organic solvent. After being dried in a tenter device, the membrane still containing the organic solvent is contacted with a liquid which is a poor solvent of the solid electrolyte and having lower boiling point than the organic solvent. Thereafter, the membrane is transported to a drying chamber and dried while being supported by the plural rollers.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2006Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Miyachi, Ryo Takeda
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Patent number: 8580455Abstract: Crosslinked polybenzoxazines obtained by crosslinking a monofunctional first benzoxazine monomer and a multifunctional second benzoxazine monomer with a crosslinkable compound, an electrolyte membrane including the same, a method of preparing the electrolyte membrane, a fuel cell including the electrolyte membrane having the crosslinked polybenzoxazines using the method. The crosslinked polybenzoxazines have strong acid trapping capability, improved mechanical properties, and excellent chemical stability as it does not melt in polyphosphoric acid. Even as the amount of impregnated proton carrier and the temperature are increased, mechanical and chemical stability is highly maintained, and thus the electrolyte membrane can be effectively used for fuel cells at a high temperature.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seong-woo Choi, Hee-young Sun, Woo-sung Jeon
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Publication number: 20130288159Abstract: An electrolyte membrane having alkylether graft chains for use in a fuel cell produced by a method of producing an electrolyte membrane for use in a fuel cell, including: performing radiation-induced graft polymerization of a vinyl monomer having nucleophilic functional groups, the vinyl monomer selected from an acylvinyl ether derivative, a styrene derivative, and a methacrylic acid derivative, with a polymer substrate comprising a polymer selected from a fluorine-containing polymer, an olefinic polymer, and an aromatic polymer; deprotecting the nucleophilic functional group, which is protected by an ester bond, of a graft chain on the polymer substrate introduced by the radiation-induced graft polymerization; and introducing an alkylethersulfonic acid structure into the deprotected nucleophilic functional group of the graft chain, by use of an electrophilic reagent selected from cyclic sulfonic acid ester and alkylhalide-sulfonate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Yasunari MAEKAWA, Kazuyuki Enomoto, Nobuhiro Kihara
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Publication number: 20130288158Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: MICHAEL R. SCHOENEWEISS, TIMOTHY J. FULLER, FRANK COMS, SEAN M. MacKINNON
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Publication number: 20130273457Abstract: Materials are provided that may be useful as ionomers or polymer ionomers, including compounds including bis sulfonyl imide groups which may be highly fluorinated and may be polymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Steven J. Hamrock, Mark S. Schaberg, Neeraj Sharma, John E. Abulu