Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Ion exchange membrane having lamellar morphology and process of making the same

An ion-exchange membrane and proton technology, applied in the field of fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies, can solve problems that have not yet been taught or disclosed

Active Publication Date: 2011-04-06
GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC
View PDF3 Cites 7 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, the most desirable morphology has not been taught or published

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Ion exchange membrane having lamellar morphology and process of making the same
  • Ion exchange membrane having lamellar morphology and process of making the same
  • Ion exchange membrane having lamellar morphology and process of making the same

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0173] The following description of embodiments is exemplary only and is not intended in any way to limit the invention, its application or uses.

[0174] In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of making ion exchange membranes with improved electrochemical and mechanical properties is provided. The method of this embodiment includes:

[0175] (a) providing a block copolymer comprising a hydrophobic polymer segment and a polar polymer segment;

[0176] (b) forming a film comprising the block copolymer; and

[0177] (c) exposing the film to water vapor, water, or an electric field at a temperature greater than about 40°C for an amount of time sufficient to form the bicontinuous morphology. Typically, at least a portion of the solvent is removed in step c). As used herein, the polar polymer segment can be an ionic polymer segment (ie, has ionic substituents) or a hydrophilic polymer segment (ie, has hydrophilic substituents).

[0178] In another embodiment of the ...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

PropertyMeasurementUnit
glass transition temperatureaaaaaaaaaa
melting pointaaaaaaaaaa
glass transition temperatureaaaaaaaaaa
Login to View More

Abstract

The invention relates to an ion exchange membrane having lamellar morphology and a process of making the same, especially relates to an ion exchange membrane made by a block copolymer comprising a hydrophobic polymer segment and a polar polymer segment. The ion exchange membrane is formed by placing a film layer in steam, water or an electric field at a temperature greater than about 40 DEG C. for sufficient amount of time to develop a bicontinuous morphology. The ion exchange membrane is also formed from a film layer comprising a block copolymer and a solvent. The film layer is placed in an electric field at an elevated temperature and dried therein. The film layer is thereby converted into an ion exchange membrane with bicontinuous morphology. The ion exchange membrane prepared according to these processes exhibits improved mechanical and electrochemical properties.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to fuel cell ion exchange membranes and fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies comprising such membranes. Background technique [0002] Proton-conducting polymers such as the sulfonated fluoropolymer NAFION Has been used as a solid ion exchange membrane material in fuel cells. Although such membrane materials perform reasonably well, demanding fuel cell applications, such as automotive fuel cells, require significant improvements. In such fuel cell applications, fuel cells require high current densities over a wide range of operating conditions over a long product life cycle. Membranes in these fuel cells must have high proton conductivity and minimal dimensional changes over a wide range of humidity and temperature. Many random copolymers can provide high proton conductivity if a sufficient degree of hydration and high ion exchange capacity are achieved. However, at high hydration levels and high relative humidity, ...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): C08J5/22C08J7/00C08L57/10H01M8/02H01M2/16
CPCY02E60/521C08J5/2237H01M8/103C08J2327/18H01M8/1027H01M8/1081H01M8/1032H01M8/1039H01M2300/0082Y02P70/50Y02E60/50
Inventor T·J·富勒S·M·麦金农M·R·谢内维斯
Owner GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC