Abstract: Use of a proton exchange membrane M in proton exchange membrane fuel cells, wherein the membrane M comprises a blend of (I) at least one polybenzimidazole polymer PBI which comprises, in polymerized form, at least 90 mol-% monomeric units U of formula (I) and/or (II), based on the total amount of monomeric units of the polybenzimidazole polymer PBI, wherein Y is a substituted element selected from O and S; or Y is a single carbon-carbon bond; Z is selected from the group consisting of divalent C1-C10 alkanediyl; divalent C2-C10 alkenediyl; divalent C6-C15 aryl; divalent C5-C15 heteroaryl; divalent C5-C15 heterocyclyl; divalent C6-C19 aryl sulfone; and divalent C6-C19 aryl ether; and wherein the total amount of monomeric units U in the polybenzimidazole polymer PBI is from about 100 to about 10,000; and (III) at least one sulfonated polymer SP, which comprises, in polymerized form, at least 50 mol-% monomeric units U?, based on the total amount of monomeric units of the sulfonated polymer SP, wherein at least

Abstract: A proton (H+)-conducting hydrocarbon (HC)-based polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) having first and second oppositely facing surfaces comprises a HC-based membrane with at least one perfluoropolymer incorporated on or within at least the first and second surfaces. A method for fabricating the PEM comprises surface treating a HC-based polymeric membrane sheet via immersion in an aqueous solution or dispersion of said at least one perfluoropolymer, followed by drying of the surface treated polymeric membrane sheet.

Abstract: New multifunctional aromatic copolymers bearing pyridine or pyrimidine units either in the main chain or side chain and single wall carbon nanotubes or multi wall carbon nanotubes as side chain pendants have been prepared. These multifunctional materials will combine both high proton and electrical conductivity due to the existence of polar pyridine or pyrimidine groups and carbon nanotubes within the same chemical structure. The prepared multifunctional materials can be used in the catalyst ink of the electrodes in high temperature PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for operating a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), said PEMFC comprising: (a) a membrane comprising at least one fluorinated ionomer [polymer (I)] comprising recurring units derived from tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) and from at least one monomer of formula (M): wherein m is an integer between 1 and 6 and X? is chosen among halogens (Cl, F, Br, I), —O?M+, wherein M+ is a cation selected among H+, NH4+, K+, Li+, Na+, or mixtures thereof, said polymer (I) having an equivalent weight (EW) of from 700 to 850 g/eq.; (b) a cathode; (c) an anode; said process comprising: (i) feeding gaseous reactants at the electrodes at a relative humidity of at most 66%; (ii) maintaining an average current density between 0.05 and 1.5 A/cm2; and (iii) maintaining an average temperature of more than 65° C.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An electrolyte material for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which is made of a copolymer comprising repeating units based on CF2?CFCF2OCF2CF2SO3H and repeating units based on tetrafluoroethylene and which has an ion exchange capacity of from 0.9 to 1.5 (meq/g dry resin). This electrolyte material has ion conductivity and durability equal to conventional electrolyte material, is easy to synthesize, has a softening point higher than electrolyte material heretofore widely used for application to fuel cells and is suitable for operation of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell at a temperature higher than the conventional material.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A fuel cell component includes an electrode support material made with nanofiber materials of Titania and ionomer. A bipolar plate stainless steel substrate and a carbon-containing layer doped with a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, ruthenium, gold, palladium, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Provided are a biphenyltetrasulfonic acid compound represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a cation, a hydrocarbon group, or the like; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, an aralkyl group, an aralkyoxy group, or the like; and X1 represents a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, or the like, and a polymer containing a structural unit originating from the biphenyltetrasulfonic acid compound.

Abstract: This disclosure provides polymer electrolytes, polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM's) and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA's) such as may be useful in fuel cells which contain or comprise polyoxometalates (POM's) or heteropolyacids (HPA's). In some embodiments the polyoxometalate, it's counterions or both may comprise Mn and/or Ce. In some embodiments the polymer electrolyte is fluorinated. In some embodiments the polymer electrolyte comprises a second acidic functional group other than a polyoxometalate. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods of making polymer electrolytes including methods which comprising a step of copolymerizing monomers comprising a covalently bound polyoxometalates and methods which comprise a step of covalently attaching a polyoxometalate to the polymer.

Abstract: An MEA for a fuel cell that employs multiple catalyst layers to reduce the hydrogen and/or oxygen partial pressure at the membrane so as to reduce the fluoride release rate from the membrane and reduce membrane degradation. An anode side multi-layer catalyst configuration is positioned at the anode side of the MEA membrane. The anode side multi-layer catalyst configuration includes an anode side under layer positioned against the membrane and including a catalyst, an anode side middle layer positioned against the anode side under layer and not including a catalyst and an anode side catalyst layer positioned against the anode side middle layer and opposite to the anode side under layer and including a catalyst, where the amount of catalyst in the anode side catalyst layer is greater than the amount of catalyst in the anode side under layer.

Abstract: A solid polymer fuel cell stack has a layered product comprised of a plurality of cells stacked, and is so structured that the layered product is fastened by end plates on both sides thereof via a current collector and an insulating plate on each side. Each cell is structured such that an MEA is sandwiched between an anode-side plate, which is provided with a fuel path disposed counter to an anode of the MEA, and a cathode-side plate, which is provided with an oxidizing agent path disposed counter to a cathode of the MEA. An MEA is comprised of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode and a cathode. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is composed of powder of basic polymer such as polybenzimidazole, strong acid such as phosphoric acid impregnated with the basic polymer, and binder such as fluorocarbon resin.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an electrolyte membrane having recesses and projections on the surface thereof is obtained. In addition, a membrane-electrode assembly comprising the electrolyte membrane, in which the effective contact area between the electrolyte membrane surface and an electrode catalyst layer is increased, is obtained. An electrolyte membrane 1 which comprises a fluorine-based electrolyte is heated and pressed with the use of plates 10a and 10b each having recesses and projections 11 on the surface thereof such that recesses and projections 2a and 2b are formed on the surface of the electrolyte membrane 1. Thereafter, the electrolyte membrane 1 is subjected to a treatment for imparting ion exchange properties to an electrolyte polymer, such as hydrolysis, such that an electrolyte membrane 3 having recesses and projections on the surface thereof is obtained.

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.

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.

Abstract: A high-performance solid polyelectrolyte film is provided which is produced by the radiation-induced graft polymerization method without causing solution gelation and which is excellent in mechanical strength, chemical stability, and dimensional stability and reduced in methanol permeability. According to the present invention, the solid polyelectrolyte film is produced by graft-polymerizing either a polymerizable monomer having an alkoxysilyl group alone or the polymerizable monomer having an alkoxysilyl group and another polymerizable monomer with a resin film which has been irradiated with a radiation, followed by hydrolyzing the alkoxysilyl groups to conduct dehydrating condensation. In addition, this solid polyelectrolyte film is disposed between a fuel electrode and an air electrode to fabricate a fuel cell.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. An electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode or the outer face of the anode. The porous pad comprises a particulate or mat of one or more doped- or reduced-valve metal oxides, which are bound together with one or more thermoplastic resins.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an ion conducting membrane interposed between the anode and cathode. The ion conducting membrane includes a base layer that has an ion conducting polymer and additive layer that has a metal supported on an oxide support, the oxide support scavenging hydroxyl radicals formed during fuel cell operation.

Abstract: A membrane/electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell capable of exhibiting high power generation performance constantly for a long period of time in a high temperature and low humidity environment, and a polymer electrolyte membrane whereby such a membrane/electrode assembly is obtainable. A polymer electrode membrane 15, comprising a proton conductive polymer which has an electrical conductivity of at least 0.07 S/cm at a temperature of 80° C. at a relative humidity of 40% and which has a water content of less than 15 mass; and a membrane/electrode assembly 10 comprising an anode 13 and a cathode 14 each having a catalyst layer 11, and a polymer electrolyte membrane 15 disposed between the anode 13 and the cathode 14.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A functional membrane is provided, which has high functionality combined with the gas barrier performance and mechanical strength inherent in a polymer film substrate. In particular, a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided, which is excellent in terms of high proton conductivity and gas barrier performance and is most appropriate to serve as a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cells. A method for producing a functional membrane is provided, which comprises: a step of ion irradiation, in which active species are generated in a polymer film substrate containing nonconductive inorganic particles by irradiating the polymer film substrate with high-energy heavy ions to the extent of 104/cm2 to 1014/cm2; and a step of graft polymerization subsequent to the step of ion irradiation, in which one or more monomers selected from group A consisting of monomers containing useful functional groups are added such that the monomers are graft polymerized with the polymer film substrate.

Abstract: According to this invention, a process for producing fluorine containing polymer to obtain composite polymer electrolyte composition having excellent ion transport number, that is, ion transfer coefficient, for example, excellent transport number of lithium ion, is provided. A process for producing fluorine containing polymer comprising graft-polymerizing a molten salt monomer having a polymerizable functional group and a quaternary ammonium salt structure having a quaternary ammonium cation and anion, with a polymer having the following unit; —(CR1R2—CFX)— X means halogen atom except fluorine atom, R1 and R2 mean hydrogen or fluorine atom, each is same or different atom.

Abstract: There are provided an ion-conducting microparticle including an ion-dissociative group and exhibiting an affinity for a fluorine-containing resin, and a method of manufacturing the same, an ion-conducting composite including the ion-conducting microparticle, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including the ion-conducting composite as an electrolyte, and an electrochemical device such as a fuel cell.

Abstract: A nanoporous polymer electrolyte and methods for making the polymer electrolyte are disclosed. The polymer electrolyte comprises a crosslinked self-assembly of a polymerizable salt surfactant, wherein the crosslinked self-assembly includes nanopores and wherein the crosslinked self-assembly has a conductivity of at least 1.0×10?6 S/cm at 25° C. The method of making a polymer electrolyte comprises providing a polymerizable salt surfactant. The method further comprises crosslinking the polymerizable salt surfactant to form a nanoporous polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: Provided are an ion-conductive composite containing ion-conductive fine particles and a vinylidene fluoride homopolymer or copolymer and having excellent ion conductivity, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including the ion-conductive composite as an electrolyte, and an electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell. An ion-conductive composite is formed of ion-conductive fine particles having an ion-dissociative group and a vinylidene fluoride homopolymer or copolymer. Here, a vinylidene fluoride homopolymer or copolymer having a ?-type crystal structure is used. Since polyvinylidene fluoride having the ?-type crystal structure has a large dipole moment in a direction that is orthogonal to the direction of the molecular chain, permittivity in the vicinity of ion-conductive fine particles can be kept high, thus facilitating ionic conduction. As a result, the decrease in ion conductivity can be minimized when the composite is formed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Disclosed are a multi-layered electrode for fuel cell and a method for producing the same, wherein the electrode can be operated under non-humidification and normal temperature, the flooding of the electrode catalyst layer can be prevented, and the long-term operation characteristic can be increased due to the prevention of the loss of the electrode catalyst layer.

Abstract: Polymer electrolyte-catalyst particles that are effective in preventing agglomeration of catalyst particles and polymer electrolyte particles, effective in the formation of ion pathways by polymer electrolyte particles and electron pathways by catalyst particles, and that are able to realize strong catalytic performance by improving the use efficiency of the catalyst particles and a manufacturing method thereof, electrodes formed using such composite structure particles, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), and an electrochemical device are provided. First, the dispersion liquid in which an ion conducting polymer electrolyte material is dispersed and microparticles 1 are mixed, and the surfaces of the microparticles 1 are coated by an ion conducting polymer electrolyte layer 2 that does not contain a catalyst material.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a porous frit based composite proton exchange membrane. The pores of the porous frit are filled with a proton-conducting material.

Abstract: A crosslinked nano-inorganic particle/polymer electrolyte membrane composed of a polymer film substrate, graft molecular chains bound to the backbone skeleton of the polymer film substrate and comprising a vinyl monomer graft-polymerized, sulfonic groups bound to the graft molecular chains, and an inorganic material as nano-scale particles uniformly dispersed within a crosslinked structure ascribed to the backbone skeleton of the polymer film substrate and the graft molecular chains, wherein the backbone skeleton of the polymer film substrate, the graft molecular chains, and the nano-inorganic particles mutually construct a crosslinked structure.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane made of a polymer has a low electrical resistance, high heat resistance and is strong against repeats of swelling and shrinkage. Thus, a membrane/electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells having high power generation performance and excellent in durability can be provided. For a polymer electrolyte membrane 15 or for a catalyst layer 11 constituting electrodes 13 and 14, a polymer comprising units (U1) and units (U2) is used: Q1, Q2: a perfluoroalkylene group which may have —O— or the like; Rf1, Rf2: a perfluoroalkyl group which may have —O—; X: an oxygen atom or the like; a: 0 or the like; Y, Z: a fluorine atom, or a monovalent perfluoroorganic group such as —CF3; S: 0 to 1; and t: 0 to 3.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An electrode electrolyte for a solid polymer electrolyte-type fuel cell contains a polymer, which has a polyphenylene structure as a main chain and both a sulfonic acid group and a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group as a side chain. A side chain having the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group has a structure represented by the following general formula (D). where Z represents at least one kind of structures selected from a group consisting of a direct bond, —O— and —S—, Y represents at least one member selected from a group consisting of —CO—, —SO2—, —SO—, —CONH—, —COO—, —(CF2)1— (1 is an integer of 1 to 10) and —C(CF3)2, R20 represents a specified nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group, q represents an integer of 1 to 5 and p represents an integer of 0 to 4.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a porous polyimide film, comprising reacting an aromatic dianhydride with one or more aromatic diamines in a suitable solvent to form poly(amic acid), adding a dehydrated agent of an acid anhydride and an organic base to the reaction mixture to convert the poly(amic acid) to a polyimide precursor, casting the reaction mixture comprising the polyimide precursor onto a solid support to form a film, coagulating the polyimide precursor in a coagulating bath comprising a mixture of a solvent and a non-solvent to develop a porous structure, and drying the coagulated polyimide precursor in air to form the porous polyimide film. A composite membrane comprising same and its use are also provided.

Abstract: A polyelectrolyte material includes as a main chain: a benzene ring; an ether; and a carbonyl group. A part of the benzene ring is sulfonated. A method for manufacturing a polyelectrolyte material includes: synthesizing disulfonyl difluorobenzophenone; and polymerizing the disulfonyl difluorobenzophenone, 4,4?-difluorobenzophenone, and phenolphthalein with a crown ether as a catalyst. The synthesizing is performed by reacting 4,4?-difluorobenzophenone with fuming sulfuric acid, performing salting-out the reaction product, and recrystallizing the salting-out product.

Abstract: To provide a polymer electrolyte material for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which is an electrolyte material having a high ion exchange capacity and a low resistance, and which has a higher softening temperature than a conventional electrolyte material.

Abstract: There is provided a fluoropolymer electrolyte membrane having excellent performance under conditions of high temperature and low humidity and also having excellent durability. A fluoropolymer electrolyte membrane comprising a fluoropolymer electrolyte having an ion exchange capacity of 1.3 to 3.0 meq/g in pores of a microporous film.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a proton transporting membrane is provided. The proton transporting membrane comprises a polyelectrolyte film comprising a multilayer comprising an interpenetrating network of a net positively charged polyelectrolyte polymer comprising repeat units with at least two fluorine atoms and a net negatively charged polyelectrolyte polymer comprising repeat units with at least two fluorine atoms, and further comprising a fluorinated counterion within the multilayer.

Abstract: Crosslinkable polymers and crosslinked fluoropolymers are prepared from selected fluorinated dienes and monomers containing Br and I. Also disclosed are proton conductive membranes of these crosslinked fluoropolymers.

Abstract: A proton (H+)-conducting hydrocarbon (HC)-based polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) having first and second oppositely facing surfaces comprises a HC-based membrane with at least one perfluoropolymer incorporated on or within at least the first and second surfaces. A method for fabricating the PEM comprises surface treating a HC-based polymeric membrane sheet via immersion in an aqueous solution or dispersion of said at least one perfluoropolymer, followed by drying of the surface treated polymeric membrane sheet.

Abstract: Proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane based on a polyazole salt of an inorganic or organic acid which is doped with an acid as electrolyte, wherein the polyazole salt of the organic or inorganic acid has a lower solubility in the acid used as electrolyte than the polyazole salt of the acid used as electrolyte, a process for producing the inventive proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane, a membrane-electrode assembly comprising at least two electrochemically active electrodes which are separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane is a proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane according to the invention, and a fuel cell comprising at least one membrane-electrode assembly according to the invention.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane assembly for use in a fuel cell or other electrochemical device includes an ion exchange membrane, a base electrolyte reservoir configured and operable to maintain a volume of a basic electrolyte solution in contact with at least some of the first face of the membrane, and an acid electrolyte reservoir configured and operable to maintain a volume of an acidic electrolyte in contact with at least a portion of the second face of the membrane. The membrane may be a cation exchange membrane or an anion exchange membrane. Also disclosed are fuel cells which incorporate the electrolyte membrane assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses nanowires for use in a fuel cell comprising a metal catalyst deposited on a surface of the nanowires. A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell is disclosed which generally comprises a proton exchange membrane, an anode electrode, and a cathode electrode, wherein at least one or more of the anode electrode and cathode electrode comprise an interconnected network of the catalyst supported nanowires. Methods are also disclosed for preparing a membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell based upon an interconnected network of nanowires.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer comprising sulfonating a perfluorocyclobutane polymer with a sulfonating agent to form a sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane polymer, wherein the sulfonating agent comprises oleum, SO3 or a combination thereof is provided. A process for preparing proton exchange membranes and fuel cells comprising the proton exchange membrane are also provided.

Abstract: A PEM based water electrolysis stack consists of a number of cells connected in series by using interconnects. Water and electrical power (power supply) are the external inputs to the stack. Water supplied to the oxygen electrodes through flow fields in interconnects is dissociated into oxygen and protons. The protons are transported through the polymer membrane to the hydrogen electrodes, where they combine with electrons to form hydrogen gas. If the electrolysis stack is required to be used exclusively as an oxygen generator, the hydrogen gas generated would have to be disposed off safely. The disposal of hydrogen would lead to a number of system and safety related issues, resulting in the limited application of the device as an oxygen generator. Hydrogen can be combusted to produce heat or better disposed off in a separate fuel cell unit which will supply electricity generated, to the electrolysis stack to reduce power input requirements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane-electrode unit comprising a) two electrochemically active electrodes divided by a polymer electrolytic membrane, wherein the surfaces of said polymer electrolytic membrane are in contact with the electrodes in such a way that the first electrode partially or entirely covers the front side of the polymer electrolytic membrane and the second electrode partially or entirely covers the rear side thereof, b) a sealing material is applied to the front and rear sides of the polymer electrolytic membrane, wherein the polymer electrolytic membrane is provided with one or several recesses and the sealing material applied to the front side of the polymer electrolytic membrane is in contact with the sealing material applied to the rear side thereof. A method for producing said membrane-electrode unit and fuel cells provided therewith are also disclosed.

Abstract: Dielectric compositions that include compound of the formula [(M?)1?x(A?)x][(M?)1?y?z,(B?)y(C?)z]O3??(VO)? and protonated dielectric compositions that include a protonated dielectric compound within the formula [(M?)1?x(A?)x](M?)1?y?z(B?)y(C?)z]O3??+h(Vo)?(H*)2h are disclosed. Composite materials that employ one or more of these dielectric compounds together with an electrolyte also are disclosed. Composite material that employs one or more of these dielectric compounds together with an electrochemally active material also are disclosed.