Abstract: A composite proton exchange membrane is made up of dispersed organized graphene in ion conducting polymer as a fuel barrier material. The composite proton exchange membrane includes an inorganic material of 0.001-10 wt % and an organic material of 99.999-90 wt %. The inorganic material is a graphene derivative with two-dimensional structure. The organic material includes a polymer material with sulfonic acid group.

Abstract: Interpenetrating polymer networks comprising a first network of polymer A formed from monomers, at least one of which contains an aromatic group functionalized with a cation-exchange group, and a second network of polymer B formed from monomers, at least one of which contains a fluorinated group (RF). Use of these interpenetrating polymer networks for manufacturing fuel cell membranes.

Abstract: Methods comprising mixing at least one nano-porous particle into a homogeneous solution of a polymer and a diluent at an elevated temperature to form a mixture; and cooling the mixture to solidify the polymer. Membranes comprising at least one nano-porous particle; and a polymer; wherein the at least one nano-porous particle comprises pores ranging from about 0.1 nanometers to about 10,000 nanometers in size.

Abstract: There are provided a new crosslinked polymer electrolyte excellent in water resistance and solvent resistance, high in heat resistance, inexpensive and low in methanol permeability, and suitable for the proton conductive membrane of a fuel cell, by means of the crosslinked polymer electrolyte obtained by the following (1) or (2), and its production method. (1) A compound having two or three or more reactive groups is reacted with a polymer electrolyte. (2) A compound having two or three or more reactive groups is reacted with a polymer to obtain a crosslinked polymer and then an ion exchange group is introduced into the resultant polymer.

Abstract: Acid block anionic selective polymeric membranes are provided of the type having a woven or non-woven cloth reinforcing structure. The polymer of the membrane is prepared by the process comprising copolymerizing components I, II, and III wherein I is an ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic or aromatic tertiary or quaternary amine monomer. II is a cross-linking monomer, and III is vinylbenzyl chloride. The reaction is conducted in the presence of a free radical polymerization initiator. Additionally, anionic exchange membranes of the type used in electrodialysis apparatus are disclosed and comprise a woven or nonwoven cloth that is impregnated with a copolymer comprising the reaction products of components I, II, and III.

Abstract: A process for preparing a composite membrane comprising acidic and/or basic groups comprising the following steps: (i) applying a curable composition to a support; and (ii) curing the composition to form a membrane; wherein the curable composition comprises: (a) 18 to 78 wt % crosslinking agent(s) having at least two acrylic groups; (b) 20 to 80 wt % curable compound(s) having one or more acidic or basic groups or groups which are convertible to acidic or basic groups; (c) 2 to 30 wt % solvent(s); and (d) 0 to 10 wt % photoinitiator(s). The membranes are particularly useful for water purification or for the generation of electricity from two streams differing in salt concentration.

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: The invention pertains to a process for stabilizing a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer comprising ion exchange groups, said process comprising: suspending at least one semi-crystalline fluoropolymer having ion exchange groups [polymer (I)] in at least one fluorinated organic dispersing medium [medium (M)] so as to obtain a dispersion (D) of polymer (I) in a dispersing medium (M); contacting said dispersion (D) with fluorine under irradiation with U.V. radiation so as to obtain a stabilized polymer. Still objects of the invention are a stable semi-crystalline fluoropolymer as above defined having a low amount of unstable ends groups of —COF type, the use of the stabilized fluoropolymer obtained by the process or of the stable fluoropolymer in fuel cells devices, a membrane and a membrane-electrode assembly comprising said fluoropolymers.

Abstract: An article comprising a polyelectrolyte complex, the polyelectrolyte complex comprising an intermolecular blend of a predominantly positively-charged polyelectrolyte and a predominantly negatively charged polyelectrolyte and being free of salt crystals having a size greater than about 1 micrometer and free of voids having a size greater than about 100 nm, the article having no transverse dimension less than about 10,000 nm.

Abstract: A method of reshaping an article comprising a polyelectrolyte complex, the polyelectrolyte complex comprising an intermolecular blend of a predominantly positively-charged polyelectrolyte and a predominantly negatively charged polyelectrolyte by controlling the salt doping level.

Abstract: The present invention relates, at least in part, to novel and improved chromatography matrices for separating or purifying immunogens, such as, for example, viruses and viral surface proteins, from one or more contaminants in a sample, where the matrix comprises a porous non-polysaccharide solid support comprising a negatively charged, multivalent ion exchange group directly attached to the solid support.

Abstract: A conductive composition, a polymer obtained from the conductive composition, a method of preparing the composition, an electrode and electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell, each including at least one of the composition and the polymer, and a fuel cell including at least one of the composition and the polymer. The conductive composition includes at least one benzoxazine-based compound with a conductive functional group and a cross-linkable compound. A composition including a conductive functional group and a polymer that is a polymerization product of the composition demonstrates good resistance to chemicals, heat, and acid. An electrode for fuel cells that includes the same demonstrates improved electrical conductivity.

Abstract: Disclosed are a solid electrolyte membrane for fuel cells, which is characterized by that there has been used a silicone resin obtained by subjecting a methide series siloxane compound having a specific, strong acid bis(perfluoroalkanesulfonyl)methide moiety, a specific polysiloxane compound, and a specific silane compound to a cross-linking reaction, and its production process. This membrane has heat resistance, is superior in chemical stability, has a good proton conductivity even under a low water content condition, and has a low methanol permeability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a poly(arylene ether) copolymer having a cation exchange group, a method for manufacturing the same, and use thereof. The poly(arylene ether) copolymer having the cation exchange group according to the present invention has excellent physical characteristics, ion exchanging capacity, metal ion adsorption capacity and a processability, and thus can be molded in various shapes and can be extensively applied to various fields such as recovering of organic metal, air purification, catalysts, water treatment, medical fields and separating of proteins.

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: A polymer electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a method of manufacturing the same, and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system including the same are disclosed, and the polymer electrolyte membrane includes a hydrocarbon-based proton conductive polymer membrane. The polymer membrane has a surface contact angle ranging from 80° to 180°.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a polyvinyl difluoride (PVDF) membrane comprising: (a) contacting said membrane with an alcohol and a wetting agent; and (b) drying said membrane.

Abstract: A fluorinated copolymer including at least one recurrent unit of the following formula (I): and at least one recurrent unit of the following formula (II): in which: RF represents a perfluorocarbon chain optionally including one or more oxygen atoms; X represents a halogen atom, OR with R representing a hydrogen atom or a cation; R1 represents a hydrocarbon chain or perfluorocarbon chain; and Z represents a perfluorocarbon chain.

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

Abstract: A new class of membranes for use in protective clothing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polymer-polymer membrane with an ionic polymer located within the nanopores of a porous polymer host membrane. A method for making the polymer-polymer membranes involves filling porous polymers with ionic polymers. The porous polymers may be fabricated by a template synthesis which involves sorption. The ionic polymers may be filled in the nanopores of the porous polymer by plasma-induced graft copolymerization of the ionic polymer with the porous polymeric host membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified inorganic material with excellent cation exchange capacity. In addition, the invention relates to a method of preparing the modified inorganic material, a composite electrolyte membrane comprising the modified inorganic material powder that has excellent methanol-repelling ability, and a fuel cell comprising the composite electrolyte membrane. The modified inorganic material includes an inorganic material, and a cation exchanger bonded to the inorganic material.

Abstract: A method is described for producing an osmotically compacted polyelectrolyte complex having a first region and a second region, the first region having a greater modulus than the second region. The method comprises contacting an article comprising polyelectrolyte complex to a solution comprising a preferred osmolyte of concentration sufficient to compact said polyelectrolyte complex and terminating the compaction process before the entire article is osmotically compacted. A method is also described for producing a article comprising water and an intermolecular blend of at least one positively charged polyelectrolyte polymer and at least one negatively charged polymer, said article having a core region and a surface region, the surface region having at least twice the elastic modulus of the core region, the method comprising contacting a starting article comprising a blend of said polymers with a solution of osmolyte, wherein the osmolyte is excluded from said article.

Abstract: A method is described for producing an osmotically compacted polyelectrolyte complex having a first region and a second region, the first region having a greater modulus than the second region. The method comprises contacting an article comprising polyelectrolyte complex to a solution comprising a preferred osmolyte of concentration sufficient to compact said polyelectrolyte complex and terminating the compaction process before the entire article is osmotically compacted. A method is also described for producing a article comprising water and an intermolecular blend of at least one positively charged polyelectrolyte polymer and at least one negatively charged polymer, said article having a core region and a surface region, the surface region having at least twice the elastic modulus of the core region, the method comprising contacting a starting article comprising a blend of said polymers with a solution of osmolyte, wherein the osmolyte is excluded from said article.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polyazole with an inherent viscosity, measured in at least 96% sulfuric acid at 25° C., greater than 2.9 dl/g, comprising the steps of i) mixing one or more aromatic tetraamino compounds with one or more aromatic carboxylic acids or esters thereof which comprise at least two acid groups per carboxylic acid monomer, or mixing one or more aromatic and/or heteroaromatic diaminocarboxylic acids, in polyphosphoric acid to form a solution and/or dispersion ii) heating the mixture from step i) under inert gas to temperatures in the range from 120° C. to 350° C. to form the polyazole, wherein in step ii), a mixture having a concentration of polyphosphoric acid, calculated as P2O5 (by acidimetric means), based on the total amount of H3PO4, polyphosphoric acid and water in the mixture, greater than 78.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell that exhibits superior dimensional stability to high temperature of hot water generated on power generation, and that has both excellent power generation performance and durability in a low temperature environment is provided. According to the membrane-electrode assembly for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which a polyarylene-based copolymer having a specific repeating constitutional unit is used as a proton conductive membrane, the membrane-electrode assembly for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell that exhibits superior dimensional stability to high temperature of hot water generated on power generation, and that has both excellent power generation performance and durability in a low temperature environment can be provided.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides a perfluorocarbon ionomer membrane with aligned fibril-like nanostructures and its preparation method.

Abstract: An aromatic polyether sulfone block copolymer comprises hydrophilic segments which have sulfonic acid groups and hydrophobic segments which have no sulfonic acid groups, wherein the proportion by weight of hydrophilic segments is from 0.02 to 0.35.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion/electron-conducting composite polymer membrane (10?), which comprises at least two gas-tight ion-conducting polymer portions (11?) joined together directly by a gas-tight electron-conducting polymer portion (12?). It also relates to processes that enable this membrane to be manufactured, and also to a planar fuel cell core comprising it. Applications: production of planar fuel cells used for generating electrical power intended for stationary applications, transport applications and portable and transportable applications.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for manufacturing certain (per)fluoroionomer liquid compositions, comprising, inter alia, at least one of fluorination and treatment with a polar solvent, to the liquid compositions therefrom having an improved solids content/surface tension/liquid viscosity compromise, to the use of the same for manufacturing composite membranes and to composite membranes obtainable therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a proton-conducting polymer membrane which comprises polyazole blends and is obtainable by a process comprising the steps A) preparation of a mixture comprising polyphosphoric acid, at least one polyazole (polymer A) and/or one or more compounds which are suitable for forming polyazoles under the action of heat according to step B), B) heating of the mixture obtainable according to step A) under inert gas to temperatures of up to 400° C., C) application of a layer using the mixture from step A) and/or B) to a support, D) treatment of the membrane formed in step C) until it is self-supporting, wherein at least one further polymer (polymer B) which is not a polyazole is added to the composition obtainable according to step A) and/or step B) and the weight ratio of polyazole to polymer B is in the range from 0.1 to 50.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electrolyte membrane comprising a crosslinked object of a polybenzoxazine-based compound formed of a polymerized resultant product of a first monofunctional benzoxazine-based monomer or a second benzoxazine-based monomer multifunctional benzoxazine-based monomer with a crosslinkable compound.

Abstract: In accordance with at least certain embodiments of the present invention, a novel concept of utilizing PIMS minerals as a filler component within a microporous lead-acid battery separator is provided. In accordance with more particular embodiments or examples, the PIMS mineral (preferably fish meal, a bio-mineral) is provided as at least a partial substitution for the silica filler component in a silica filled lead acid battery separator (preferably a polyethylene/silica separator formulation). In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to new or improved batteries, separators, components, and/or compositions having heavy metal removal capabilities and/or methods of manufacture and/or methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a membrane for direct-liquid fuel cell, comprised of a layered cation-exchange membrane whose one side is constituted by A) a cation-exchange membrane layer of low water content type having a water content of 1 to 15% by mass at a relative humidity of 50% RH (25° C.) and whose other side is constituted by B) a cation-exchange membrane layer of high water content type having, at a relative humidity of 100% RH (25° C.), a water content which is higher, by 3% by mass ore more, than the water content of the cation-exchange membrane layer of low water content type at a relative humidity of 100% RH (25° C.), the layered cation-exchange membrane having an electrical resistance of 0.5 to 0.01 ?·cm2 in a 1 mol/L aqueous sulfuric acid solution at 25° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel polymer having oxocarbon groups which is particularly useful in battery and fuel cell applications.

Abstract: A composite ionomeric membrane comprising a layer or film of a porous inert material on which a (per) fluorinated sulphonic ionomer is deposited wherein the sulphonic groups are at the end of short side chains (SSC), said ionomer having: equivalent weight comprised between 280 and 1,700 g/eq; side chains of formula: —O—CF2—CF2—SO3—M+, wherein M is hydrogen or an alkaline metal; said membrane having in each of the two orthogonal directions xy of the plane, after dipping in demineralized water at 100° C. for 30 minutes and preliminary drying at 105° C. under vacuum for one hour, the following size variations: in one direction, size variation lower than 25%; in the other direction, size variation lower than 20%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an anion-exchange polymer material having an IPN or semi-IPN structure, said method consisting in: (A) preparing a homogeneous reaction solution containing, in a suitable organic solvent, (a) at least one organic polymer bearing reactive halogen groups, (b) at least one tertiary diamine, (c) at least one monomer comprising an ethylenic unsaturation polymerizable by free radical polymerization, (d) optionally at least one cross-linking agent including at least two ethylenic unsaturations polymerizable by free radical polymerization, and e) at least one free radical polymerization initiator; and (B) heating the prepared solution to a temperature and for a duration that are sufficient to allow both a nucleophilic substitution reaction between components (a) and (b) and a free radical copolymerization reaction of components (c) and optionally (d) initiated by component (e).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a crosslinked hollow fiber membrane. The method involves spinning a one phase solution comprising a monoesterified polyimide polymer, acetone as a volatile solvent, a spinning solvent, a spinning non-solvent, and optionally an organic and/or inorganic additive, wherein the volatile solvent is present in an amount of greater than 25 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the solution.

Abstract: A polyarylene copolymer having a sulfonic acid group which has high proton conductivity and reduced swelling in hot water and reduced shrinkage in drying; a solid polymer electrolyte and a proton conductive membrane comprising the copolymer; and a membrane-electrode assembly using these. The polyarylene block copolymer comprises a polymer segment (A) having a sulfonic acid group, and a polymer segment (B) having substantially no sulfonic acid group, the polymer segment (B) having substantially no sulfonic acid group comprising a structural unit represented by the following formula (1).

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane is made from a polymer electrolyte and a coordination polymer, and finds use in a fuel cell. The polymer electrolyte membrane may be made by dissolving a polymer electrolyte in a solvent to provide a first solution, adding a coordination polymer to the first solution to yield a second solution, and forming the second solution into a film.

Abstract: A film of a carboxylated polymer of formula (I): wherein the sum of x, y and z is an integer from 10 to 10,000 and degree of hydrolysis is 0.05 or greater provides gas separation materials in which the degree of hydrolysis may be used to tune the selectivity of the gases to an optimal required range. Such films may be prepared by casting a film of a polymer of formula (II): wherein n is an integer from 10 to 10,000, and hydrolyzing all or a portion of the —CN groups to form —COOH groups.

Abstract: A method is described for producing an osmotically compacted polyelectrolyte complex having a first region and a second region, the first region having a greater modulus than the second region. The method comprises contacting an article comprising polyelectrolyte complex to a solution comprising a preferred osmolyte of concentration sufficient to compact said polyelectrolyte complex and terminating the compaction process before the entire article is osmotically compacted. A method is also described for producing a article comprising water and an intermolecular blend of at least one positively charged polyelectrolyte polymer and at least one negatively charged polymer, said article having a core region and a surface region, the surface region having at least twice the elastic modulus of the core region, the method comprising contacting a starting article comprising a blend of said polymers with a solution of osmolyte, wherein the osmolyte is excluded from said article.

Abstract: There is provided an electrode structure for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having excellent power generation performance and excellent durability and a method for manufacturing the same. Also provided is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell including the electrode structure and an electrical apparatus and a transport apparatus using the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The electrode structure includes a polymer electrolyte membrane 2 sandwiched between a pair of electrode catalyst layers 1, 1 containing carbon particles supporting catalyst particles. The polymer electrolyte membrane 2 is made of a sulfonated polyarylene-based polymer. The sulfonated polyarylene-based polymer has an ion exchange capacity in the range of 1.7 to 2.3 meq/g, and the polymer contains a component insoluble in N-methylpyrrolidone in an amount of 70% or less relative to the total amount of the polymer, after the polymer is subjected to heat treatment for exposing it under a constant temperature atmosphere of 12° C. for 200 hours.

Abstract: There is provided an anion exchange membrane comprising, as a main element, a block copolymer having a vinyl alcohol polymer block and a cationic-group containing polymer block as components and which is subjected to a crosslinking treatment. An anion exchange membrane is produced by heating a film obtained from a solution of the block copolymer at a temperature of 100° C. or more, crosslinking the film with a dialdehyde compound in water, an alcohol or a mixture of these under an acidic condition and then washing the film with water. Thus, there can be provided an anion exchange membrane in which organic fouling can be prevented and which exhibiting excellent basic properties such as a membrane resistance and an ionic transport number and excellent membrane strength.

Abstract: A method for modifying the surface of nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) composite membranes, comprising placing said composite membrane in a suitable vessel having a feed inlet opening and a permeate outlet opening, feeding an aqueous solution of one or more monomer(s) and free radical initiator into said vessel through said inlet opening, generating transmembrane pressure, thereby creating a flux across said membrane into said permeate outlet opening and causing said monomer(s) graft polymerize in the presence of said free radical initiator onto one face of said composite membrane.

Abstract: A method of making a durable fuel cell polymer electrolyte membrane is provided comprising the steps of: a) providing a polymer electrolyte membrane; b) providing a solution of a salt selected from the group consisting of manganese salts and cerium salts or a suspension of particles of a compound selected from the group consisting of manganese oxides and cerium oxides; and c) applying the solution or suspension to the polymer electrolyte membrane by a method selected from the group consisting of brushing, spraying and use of a slot die. Some embodiments comprise metered application of the solution to the polymer electrolyte membrane.

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 exchange membrane containing modified maleimide oligomers comprising sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone) (S-PAEK) and modified maleimide oligomers. The exchange membrane uses the modified maleimide oligomers having a hyper-branched architecture as matrix, and introduces them into S-PAEK to constitute semi-interpenetration network (semi-IPN), so as to intensify water holding capacity, chemical resistance, the electrochemical stability and thermal resistance of the ionic/proton exchange membrane. The exchange membrane can be used to fabricate the membrane electrode assemblies, fuel cells, and be applied them to the fields of seawater desalination, heavy water and sewage treatment, and biomass-energy resources.

Abstract: The invention relates to hybrid membranes that are composed of an organic polymer and an inorganic polymer, a method for producing hybrid membranes, and the use of said hybrid membranes in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The inventive hybrid membranes comprise at least one alkaline organic polymer and at least one inorganic polymer. Said polymers are blended together at a molecular level. The inorganic polymer is formed from at least one precursor monomer when the membrane is produced. The disclosed membranes are characterized in that the same are provided with high absorptivity for doping agents, have a high degree of mechanical and thermal stability in both an undoped and doped state, and feature permanently high proton conductivity.

Abstract: The present invention discloses polymers prepared through the Diels-Alder reaction with benzoxazine groups in their main chains. Moreover, polymers with high molecular weight could be successfully prepared via this method. Furthermore, the mentioned polymers are able to undergo crosslinking reaction by heat treatment. Heat energy causes the ring-opening reaction of benzoxazine in polymer main chains to undergo crosslinking reaction, and cross-linked polymers are thereby formed with great flexibility and high crosslinking degree.