Fluoropolymer Patents (Class 429/494)
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Patent number: 8557474Abstract: A fluorosulfonyl group-containing monomer having a high polymerization reactivity and plural fluorosulfonyl groups, a fluorosulfonyl group-containing polymer and a sulfonic acid group-containing polymer, obtained by using the monomer.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Atsushi Watakabe, Hiromasa Yamamoto, Masao Iwaya, Susumu Saito
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Publication number: 20130266890Abstract: The present invention provides sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide sulfone nitrile) and a polymer electrolyte membrane thereof. In particular, the present invention provides sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide sulfone nitrile) having a triple bond at its both ends and a polymer electrolyte membrane with superior mechanical properties prepared by heating sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide sulfone nitrile) and forming cross-links between ends of sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide sulfone nitrile).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicants: IUCF-HYU (Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University), HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Young Moo Lee, So Young Lee, Dong Won Shin, Na Rae Kang, Young Taek Kim, Inchul Hwang, Nak Hyun Kwon
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Patent number: 8551670Abstract: An electrochemical device and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device may be used as a fuel cell and/or as an electrolyzer and includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, chemically-inert, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, as well as a fluid chamber and a non-porous an electrically-conductive plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLCInventors: Cortney K. Mittelsteadt, William A. Braff
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Patent number: 8546004Abstract: An electrolyte membrane is prepared from a liquid composition comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of trivalent cerium, tetravalent cerium, bivalent manganese and trivalent manganese; and a polymer with a cation-exchange group. The liquid composition is preferably one containing water, a carbonate of cerium or manganese, and a polymer with a cation-exchange group, and a cast film thereof is used as an electrolyte membrane to prepare a membrane-electrode assembly. The present invention successfully provides a membrane-electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells being capable of generating the electric power in high energy efficiency, having high power generation performance regardless of the dew point of the feed gas, and being capable of stably generating the electric power over a long period of time.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Hisao Kawazoe, Eiji Endoh, Hideki Nakagawa, Shinji Terazono
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Patent number: 8540806Abstract: There is provided herein a dryer polymer substance including a hetero-phase polymer composition including two or more polymers wherein at least one of the two or more polymers include sulfonic groups, wherein the substance is adapted to pervaporate a fluid. The fluid may include water, water vapor or both. There is also provided herein a process for the preparation of a dryer polymer substance adapted to pervaporate a fluid (such as water, water vapor or both) the process includes mixing two or more polymers, wherein at least one of the two or more polymers may include groups which are adapted to be sulfonated, to produce a hetero-phase polymer composition and processing the polymer blend into a desired form.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2013Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Oridion Medical (1987) Ltd.Inventors: Amos Ophir, Eyal Cohen, David Dishon, Joshua Lewis Colman
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Patent number: 8518597Abstract: The present invention provides a catalytic layer-electrolytic membrane laminate for an unhumidified-type fuel cell, comprising an electrolytic membrane containing a strong acid; a conductive layer formed on one surface or both surfaces of the electrolytic membrane; and a catalytic layer formed on the conductive layer; wherein the conductive layer is formed of a fluorine-containing resin and carbon powder, and the conductive layer is thinner than the electrolytic membrane. The present invention provides a catalytic layer-electrolytic membrane laminate for an unhumidified-type fuel cell that can be practically used.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masashi Hiromitsu
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Publication number: 20130216937Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicants: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD., ASAHI KASEI E-MATERIALS CORPORATIONInventors: ASAHI KASEI E-MATERIALS CORPORATION, DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
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Publication number: 20130196248Abstract: A compound including a cage-type structure of silsesquioxane wherein a group represented by Formula 1 or a salt thereof is directly linked to at least one silicon atom of the silsesquioxane, a composition including the compound, a composite formed therefrom, electrodes and an electrolyte membrane that include the composite, a method of preparing the compound, and a fuel cell including the electrodes and the electrolyte membrane. wherein in Formula 1, n is 1 or 2.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2013Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
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Patent number: 8486579Abstract: 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 ketone), 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Prudent Energy Inc.Inventors: Mianyan Huang, Yanling Zhao, Linlin Li
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Patent number: 8486280Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a nanostructured surface (NSS) on a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell, in which a nanostructured surface is suitably formed on a polymer electrolyte membrane by plasma treatment during plasma assisted etching in a plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) chamber, where catalyst particles or a catalyst layer are directly deposited on the surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane having the nanostructured surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Kwang Ryeol Lee, Myoung Woon Moon, Sae Hoon Kim, Byung Ki Ahn
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Publication number: 20130177834Abstract: Provided are a polymer electrolyte membrane used in fuel cells, and a method for producing the same, the method including a step of filling a crosslinkable ion conductor in the pores of a porous nanoweb support; and a step of crosslinking the ion conductor filled in the pores of the porous nanoweb support. The method for producing a polymer electrolyte membrane uses a relatively smaller amount of an organic solvent, can ameliorate defects of the support caused by solvent evaporation, and can enhance the impregnability of the ion conductor to the support and the convenience of the process.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Dong Hoon Lee, Na Young Kim, Moo Seok Lee, Yong Cheol Shin
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Patent number: 8481227Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Steven J. Hamrock, Mark S. Schaberg, Neeraj Sharma, John E. Abulu
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Patent number: 8475971Abstract: A method of enhancing electrical performance of a membrane for a fuel cell is disclosed. The method includes providing a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer in an aqueous hydroxylated hydrocarbon aqueous solution. The PFSA dispersion or solution has an acid number the same or higher than an acid number of the membrane. The membrane is immersed in the solution such that the high acid number PFSA dispersion diffuses into the membrane. After immersion, the removed membrane is then dried under tension.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Beba T. Dobulis
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Patent number: 8470943Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte material made of a copolymer comprising a repeating unit based on a fluoromonomer A which gives a polymer having an alicyclic structure in its main chain by radical polymerization, and a repeating unit based on a fluoromonomer B of the following formula (1): CF2?CF(Rf)jSO2X??(1) wherein j is 0 or 1, X is a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom or OM {wherein M is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom or a group of NR1R2R3R4 (wherein each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 which may be the same or different, is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group)}, and Rf is a C1-20 polyfluoroalkylene group having a straight chain or branched structure which may contain ether oxygen atoms.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Atsushi Watakabe, Takeshi Eriguchi, Toshihiro Tanuma, Yasuhiro Kunisa
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Publication number: 20130108944Abstract: A proton conducting copolymer electrolyte with competitive voltage versus current density characteristics and superior durability comprises a proton conducting hydrophilic domain comprising a sulfonated poly(phenylene) polymer, and a hydrophobic domain comprising a main chain comprising a plurality of bonded arylene groups wherein essentially all of the bonds in the main chain of the copolymer are carbon-carbon or, to a certain extent, carbon-sulfone bonds. More particularly, none of the bonds in the chains of the copolymer are ether bonds. Due to the absence of ether bonds, the copolymer electrolyte is less susceptible to degradation in solid polymer fuel cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AGInventors: DAIMLER AG, FORD MOTOR COMPANY
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Patent number: 8431286Abstract: A novel method of altering extruded membrane films for PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cells in such a manner that the membrane films swell substantially uniformly in both the in-plane x and y directions when immersed in water or ionomer solution is disclosed. The invention includes cutting a membrane film from an extruded membrane sheet in a diagonal orientation with respect to the membrane process direction of the membrane sheet. The membrane film exhibits reduced internal stress as compared to conventionally-prepared membrane films and allows a more even distribution of pressure in a fuel cell stack, thereby reducing the incidence of swollen membrane-induced failure mechanisms in the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Beba T. Dobulis
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FLUORINE CONTAINING IONOMER COMPOSITE WITH ION EXCHANGE FUNCTION, PREPARATION METHOD AND USE THEREOF
Publication number: 20130101921Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2010Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventors: Yongming Zhang, Junke Tang, Ping Liu, Heng Zhang, Jun Wang -
Publication number: 20130101918Abstract: An electrolyte membrane having a proton conducting polymer reinforced with a nanofiber mat made from a nanofiber comprising a fiber material selected from polymers and polymer blends; wherein the fiber material has a fiber material proton conductivity; wherein the proton conducting polymer has a proton conducting polymer conductivity; and wherein the fiber material proton conductivity is less than the proton conducting polymer conductivity, and methods of making. In some embodiments, the nanofiber further comprises a proton conducting polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Michael A. Yandrasits, Ji-Hwa Lee, Youngdon Yi, Daniel M. Pierpont, Steven J. Hamrock, Mark A. Schonewill
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Patent number: 8420277Abstract: An electrolyte membrane includes a cross-linked reaction product of a benzoxazine monomer and a cross-linkable compound. The electrolyte membrane is impregnated with 300 to 600 parts by weight of phosphoric acid based on 100 parts by weight of the electrolyte membrane, and has a yield strain 0.5% or less, and a yield stress 0.3 MPa or less. The cross-linked material has a strong acid trapping ability with respect to the benzoxazine compound and excellent mechanical properties due to a cross-linkage. Also, the solubility of the cross-linked material in polyphosphoric acid is low, thereby showing excellent chemical stability. Accordingly, when the cross-linked material is used, an electrolyte membrane having an excellent liquid supplementing ability and excellent mechanical and chemical stability at a high temperature can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Myung-jin Lee, Seong-woo Choi, Hee-young Sun, Woo-sung Jeon
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Patent number: 8415070Abstract: Ionic polymers are made from selected partially fluorinated dienes, in which the repeat units are cycloaliphatic. The polymers are formed into membranes.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventor: Amy Qi Han
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Publication number: 20130084516Abstract: An ion-conducting membrane for fuel cells includes an ion-conducting polymer having protogenic groups and poly(methyl methacrylate). Characteristically, the ion-conducting layer is planar having a thickness from 1 microns to 200 microns. A membrane electrode assembly includes the ion-conducting membrane interposed between a cathode layer and an anode layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
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Patent number: 8409766Abstract: A liquid composition comprising: at least one fluoroionomer (I) [fluoroionomer (I-1)], the fluoroionomer (I-1) having a heat of fusion comprised between 4 and 20 J/g; and at least one fluoroionomer (I) [fluoroionomer (I-2)], the fluoroionomer (I-2) being substantially amorphous, that is to say having a heat of fusion of less than 4 J/g, and wherein the water extractable fraction of the fluoroionomer (I-2) is less than 40% wt, the liquid composition comprising the fluoroionomer (I-1) and the fluoroionomer (I-2) in a weight ratio (I-1)/(I-2) of at least 2:1.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2008Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Solvay Solexis, S.p.A.Inventors: Luca Merlo, Alessandro Ghielmi
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Patent number: 8394865Abstract: To provide an ion exchange membrane for alkaline chloride electrolysis having a low electric resistance and further having a sufficient mechanical strength. To employ an ion exchange membrane containing a polymer having units (U1). Q1, Q2=a perfluoroalkylene group or the like; Rf1, Rf2=a perfluoroalkyl group or the like; X1=an oxygen atom or the like; a=0 or the like; Y1=a fluorine atom or the like; r=0 or 1; and M=a hydrogen atom or an alkali metal atom.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Kazuo Umemura, Hiromitsu Kusano, Tetsuji Shimohira, Susumu Saito
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Publication number: 20130059230Abstract: A fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrolyte is formed of a first layer (6) having its stronger tensile strength oriented in one direction, laminated to a second layer (7) having its stronger tensile strength oriented perpendicular to the stronger direction of the first layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2010Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATIONInventors: Tommy Skiba, Jesse M. Marzullo
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Publication number: 20130052561Abstract: To provide a polymer electrolyte membrane and a membrane/electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, excellent in the durability to hydrogen peroxide or peroxide radicals. A polymer electrolyte membrane 15 comprising an ion exchange resin having cation exchange groups, which contains cerium element and at least one member selected from cesium element and rubidium element; and a membrane/electrode assembly 10, comprising an anode 13 having a catalyst layer 11 containing a catalyst and an ion exchange resin, a cathode 14 having a catalyst layer 11 containing a catalyst and an ion exchange resin, and a polymer electrolyte membrane 15 disposed between the anode 13 and the cathode 14, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane 15 contains cerium element and at least one member selected from cesium element and rubidium element.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Satoru HOMMURA, Junichi Tayanagi, Tetsuji Shimohira
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Publication number: 20130045436Abstract: A porous membrane with pores that includes a polymerization product of a polyazole-based material, an electrolyte membrane including the porous membrane with a proton-conductive polymer provided in pores of the porous membrane, methods of manufacturing the porous membrane and the electrolyte membrane, and a fuel cell employing at least one of the porous membrane and the electrolyte membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Seong-woo Choi, Jong-chan Lee, Ki-hyun Kim, Sung-kon Kim, Pil-won Heo, Ki-Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 8372558Abstract: A vinyl monomer is graft polymerized on an aromatic hydrocarbon-based polymer film substrate to introduce graft chains into the substrate and thereafter a functional monomer represented by the following formula and having sulfonic acid groups or functional groups capable of conversion to sulfonic acid groups is graft polymerized to introduce the sulfonic acid groups or the functional groups capable of conversion to sulfonic acid groups: where R is an aromatic ring or an aliphatic chain; X is (1) —OH, (2) —OLi, —ONa or —OK, (3) —F or —Cl, or (4) —OCnH2n+1 where n is an integer of 1 to 7. Since the graft chains obtained by graft polymerization of the vinyl monomer can also be utilized as scaffold polymers, the graft polymerizability of the functional monomer to the aromatic hydrocarbon-based polymer film substrate is sufficiently improved to enable the preparation of a polymer electrolyte membrane that excels not only in proton conductivity and mechanical strength but also in dimensional stability.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Japan Atomic Energy AgencyInventors: Jinhua Chen, Yasunari Maekawa, Masaharu Asano, Masaru Yoshida
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Patent number: 8367267Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a highly fluorinated polymer electrolyte and at least one cerium oxide compound dispersed therein. In addition, a method of making a fuel cell polymer electrolyte membrane is provided comprising the steps of: a) providing a highly fluorinated polymer electrolyte comprising acidic functional groups; b) dispersing therein at least one cerium oxide in an amount so as to provide between 0.01 and 5 percent of the total weight of the polymer electrolyte membrane; and c) thereafter forming a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising said polymer electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Matthew H. Frey, Daniel M. Pierpont, Steven J. Hamrock
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Patent number: 8366811Abstract: There is provided herein a dryer polymer substance including a hetero-phase polymer composition including two or more polymers wherein at least one of the two or more polymers include sulfonic groups, wherein the substance is adapted to pervaporate a fluid. The fluid may include water, water vapor or both. There is also provided herein a process for the preparation of a dryer polymer substance adapted to pervaporate a fluid (such as water, water vapor or both) the process includes mixing two or more polymers, wherein at least one of the two or more polymers may include groups which are adapted to be sulfonated, to produce a hetero-phase polymer composition and processing the polymer blend into a desired form.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Oridion Medical (1987) Ltd.Inventors: Amos Ophir, Eyal Cohen, David Dishon, Joshua Lewis Colman
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Publication number: 20130022895Abstract: An ion-conducting membrane for fuel cell applications a first layer including a first ion-conducting polymer and nanofibers dispersed therein. The first layer includes a first side and a second side. A second layer is disposed over the first side of the first layer and includes a second ion-conducting polymer without nanofibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ruichun Jiang, Timothy J. Fuller, Craig S. Gittleman
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Publication number: 20130022894Abstract: A composite membrane for fuel cells includes an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene substrate having a predefined void volume, a first polymer and a second polymer each of which fill at least a portion of the void volume. The first polymer includes the following chemical moiety: Polymer electrolyte membranes and fuel cells incorporating the composite membrane are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Lijun Zou, Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
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Patent number: 8354201Abstract: A fuel cell includes a first flow field plate defining at least one flow field channel. A cathode catalyst layer is disposed over at least a portion of the first flow field plate. A polymeric ion conducting membrane is disposed over cathode catalyst layer. An anode catalyst layer is disposed over the polymeric ion conducting membrane. Finally, a second flow field plate defining at least one flow field channel is disposed over the anode catalyst layer. The polymeric ion conducting membrane extends beyond the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer such that the fuel cell has at least one peripheral region with the polymeric catalyst layer interposed between first flow field plate and the second flow field plate without the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Sean M MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Annette M. Brenner
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Patent number: 8343672Abstract: A catalyst coated electrolyte membrane including an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer at opposite sides thereof, respectively, wherein micro cracks of the anode catalyst layer or cathode catalyst layer occupy 0.01-1 area % of the total area of the respective anode catalyst layer or cathode catalyst layer, a fuel cell including the same, and a method of preparing the catalyst coated electrolyte membrane. In the catalyst coated electrolyte membrane, micro cracks of the cathode catalyst layer or the anode catalyst layer can be minimized and thus the resistance between the electrode catalyst layer and an electrolyte membrane can be minimized, and crossover of a fuel, such as methanol, ethanol, other alcohols, methane, etc., to a cathode electrode can be minimized, and thus the catalyst coated electrolyte membrane has improved performance and durability.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ji-rae Kim, Seung-jae Lee, Hyuk Chang
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Patent number: 8343321Abstract: The invention relates to membrane-electrode assemblies for the electrolysis of water (electrolysis MEAs), which contain an ion-conducting membrane having a front and rear side; a first catalyst layer on the front side; a first gas diffusion layer on the front side; a second catalyst layer on the rear side, and a second gas diffusion layer on the rear side. The first gas diffusion layer has smaller planar dimensions than the ion-conducting membrane, whereas the second gas diffusion layer has essentially the same planar dimensions as the ion-conducting membrane (“semi-coextensive design”). The MEAs also comprise an unsupported free membrane surface that yields improved adhesion properties of the sealing material. The invention also relates to a method for producing the MEA products. Pressure-resistant, gastight and cost-effective membrane-electrode assemblies are obtained, that are used in PEM water electrolyzers, regenerative fuel cells or in other electrochemical devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Ralf Zuber, Klaus Schaack, Sandra Wittpahl, Holger Dziallas, Peter Seipel, Pia Braun, Lutz Rohland
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Patent number: 8338054Abstract: There are provided: a proton transporting material that improves mechanical characteristics of a sulfonated liquid crystalline polymer material, can be kept as a membrane even though it is made a solid state while maintaining a molecular arrangement of a liquid crystalline state, and is suitable for electrolyte membranes of fuel cells etc.; an ion exchange membrane, a membrane electrolyte assembly (MEA), and a fuel cell that use the proton transporting material; a starting material for the proton transporting material. The proton transporting material has a molecular structure produced by crosslinking the sulfonated liquid crystalline polymer material with a crosslinking agent having two or more functional groups in sites except that of the sulfonic acid group.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignees: University of Yamanashi, Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuichiro Haramoto, Kohei Shiramizu, Masashi Oota
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Patent number: 8329766Abstract: A functional membrane and a production method thereof including: an ion irradiation step in which a polymer film substrate is irradiated with high energy heavy ions at 104 to 1014 ions/cm2, to generate active species in the film substrate; and a graft polymerization step in which after the ion irradiation step, the film substrate is added with one or more monomers selected from a group A consisting of monomers each having a functional group and 1 to 80 mol % of a monomer including a group B consisting of a crosslinking agent(s) for the group A monomer(s), and the film substrate and the monomer(s) are graft-polymerized. There is obtained a functional membrane having high functionality in conjunction with the gas barrier property intrinsically possessed by a polymer film substrate, in particular, a polymer electrolyte membrane optimal as a polymer electrolyte membrane for use in fuel cells, high in proton conductivity and excellent in gas barrier property.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignees: Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigeharu Takagi, Toshiya Saito, Misaki Kobayashi, Masaru Yoshida, Tetsuya Yamaki, Masaharu Asano
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Patent number: 8323849Abstract: A fuel cell including an electrolyte membrane and/or an electrode which includes a crosslinked polybenzoxazine-based compound formed of a polymerized product of at least one selected from a first benzoxazine-based monomer and second benzoxazine-based monomer, the first benzoxazine-based monomer and second benzoxazine-based monomer having a halogen atom or a halogen atom-containing functional group, crosslinked with a cross-linkable compound.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seong-woo Choi, Jung-ock Park
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Publication number: 20120301811Abstract: A solid electrolyte film according to the present invention includes a resin having a repeating unit of the general formula (1) containing a bis(perfluoroalkanesulfonyl)methide moiety: where R represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; Y represents an oxygen atom or NH; Rf represents a C1-C4 perfluoroalkyl group; and W represents either a C2-C4 straight or C3-C4 branched alkylene group or a C5-C8 cyclic hydrocarbon group as a linking group, which may have a branched chain or a cross-linking structure. This solid electrolyte film combines high proton conductivity with low methanol permeability for prevention of methanol crossover and can suitably be used for a direct methanol fuel cell etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: Central Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Katsutoshi Suzuki, Yoshihiko Obara, Toru Tanaka, Haruhiko Komoriya
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Patent number: 8313873Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, a method of preparing the same, and a fuel cell system comprising the same. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a metal-bound inorganic ion-conductive salt and an ion-conductive cation exchange resin.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Min-Kyu Song, Hae-Kwon Yoon, Young-Mi Park
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Publication number: 20120282541Abstract: The present invention provides a high exchange capacity perfluorinated resin comprising two kinds of sulfonyl fluoride-containing short pendant groups of different structures, which is prepared by copolymerizing tetrafluoroethylene, vinyl ether monomers comprising two kinds of sulfonyl fluoride-containing short pendant groups of different structures, and vinyl ether monomer comprising bromine-containing pendant group, wherein based on all monomer units in the copolymer, the mol % of tetrafluoroethylene monomer is 50-85%, the mol % of vinyl ether monomers comprising two kinds of sulfonyl fluoride-containing short pendant groups of different structures is 5-49% and the mol % of vinyl ether monomer comprising bromine-containing pendant group is 1-10%.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2009Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Yongming Zhang, Heng Zhang, Sheng Qin, Zihong Gao, Li Wang, Yong Li, Xuezhang Song
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Patent number: 8304134Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte composition comprising a polymer electrolyte (A component) having an ion exchange capacity of from 0.5 to 3.0 meq/g, a compound (B component) having a thioether group and a compound (C component) having an azole ring, wherein a mass ratio (B/C) of the B component to the C component is 1/99 to 99/1, and a total content of the B component and C component is 0.01 to 50% by mass based on the solid content in the polymer electrolyte composition.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Asahi Kasei E-materials CorporationInventors: Naoto Miyake, Yuichi Inoue
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Publication number: 20120276471Abstract: 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 21, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Inventors: Steven J. Hamrock, Mark S. Schaberg, Neeraj Sharma, John E. Abulu
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Patent number: 8273499Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided that uses a proton conductive membrane having high proton conductivity and also superior heat resistance and chemical durability. A membrane-electrode assembly for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided with an anode on one side of a proton conductive membrane and a cathode on another side thereof, and the proton conductive membrane is a sulfonated polyarylene containing a structure expressed by the general formula (1) below: —Rs—Z—Rh??(1) In the formula (1), Z represents at least one structure selected from the group consisting of —CO—, —SO2—, and —SO—; Rs represents a direct bond or any divalent organic group; and Rh represents a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takaki Nakagawa, Ryohei Ishimaru
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Publication number: 20120237851Abstract: The present invention provides a perfluorinated ion exchange resin, whose structural formula is shown in formula M. The present invention also provides preparation method of the perfluorinated ion exchange resin, comprising subjecting tetrafluoroethylene monomers and two kinds of sulfonyl fluoride-containing vinyl ether monomers in the presence of initiator to ternary copolymerization. The perfluorinated ion exchange resin provided in accordance with the present invention can fulfill the requirements of mechanical strength and ion exchange capacity at the same time and has good thermal stability.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Yongming Zhang, Sheng Qin, Zihong Gao, Heng Zhang, Maoxiang Wei, Yong Li, Jun Wang
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Publication number: 20120237850Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: 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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Publication number: 20120231369Abstract: The present invention describes the synthesis of new fluorinated elastomers with very low glass transition temperatures (Tg), a good resistance to bases, gasoline and other carburants and good workability properties, these elastomers contain hexafluoropropene (HFP), perfluoro(4-methyl-3,6-dioxaoct-7-ene) sulfonyl fluoride (PFSO2F), vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and/or at least one fluorinated alkene and/or one vinyl perfluorinated ether. In a precise case, they are prepared by radical polymerisation of HFP and PFSO2F or by radical terpolymerisation HFP, PFSO2F and VDF in the presence of different organic initiator, such as peroxides, peresters or diazo compounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: HYDRO QUEBECInventors: Bruno Michel Ameduri, Michel Armand, Mario Boucher, Abdellatif Manseri
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Publication number: 20120231367Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2010Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AGInventors: Yunsong Yang, Jing Li, Keping Wang
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Patent number: 8263287Abstract: Polymer electrolyte membranes for use in fuel cells are produced by first graft polymerizing acrylic acid derivatives or vinylketone derivatives as monomers on polymer substrates and by then performing selective conversion to a sulfonic acid group of hydrogen atoms on the carbon atom adjacent to the carbonyl in the ketone or carboxyl group on the graft chains.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Japan Atomic Energy AgencyInventors: Shuichi Takahashi, Yasunari Maekawa, Shin Hasegawa
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Patent number: 8263710Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte material made of a copolymer comprising a repeating unit based on a fluoromonomer A which gives a polymer having an alicyclic structure in its main chain by radical polymerization, and a repeating unit based on a fluoromonomer B of the following formula (1): CF2?CF(Rf)jSO2X??(1) wherein j is 0 or 1, X is a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom or OM {wherein M is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom or a group of NR1R2R3R4 (wherein each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 which may be the same or different, is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group)}, and Rf is a C1-20 polyfluoroalkylene group having a straight chain or branched structure which may contain ether oxygen atoms.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Atsushi Watakabe, Takeshi Eriguchi, Toshihiro Tanuma, Yasuhiro Kunisa
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Publication number: 20120225361Abstract: Additives can be used to prepare polymer electrolyte for membrane electrode assemblies in polymer electrolyte fuel cells in order to improve both durability and performance. The additives are chemical complexes comprising certain metal and organic ligand components.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2010Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AGInventors: Keping Wang, Yunsong Yang, Jing Li