Electrolyte membrane having excellent durability and proton conductivity and fuel cell including the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells using perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomers suffer from thermal degradation and reduced durability due to the production of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen-containing radicals, limiting their operation to temperatures below 100°C and affecting proton conductivity.

Innovation Solution

An antioxidant is developed comprising an inorganic particle core coated with a proton-conductive ionomer shell, which includes a polymer with a phosphoric acid group, enhancing chemical durability and proton conductivity by preventing radical-induced degradation and maintaining proton transfer efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomer is used as electrolyte membrane, then high proton conductivity is achieved, but thermal degradation occurs at high temperature equal to or higher than 100°C

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproton conductivityVSAvoidoperating temperature limit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomer with other materials that provide thermal stability, allowing the membrane to maintain both high proton conductivity and resistance to thermal degradation at temperatures equal to or higher than 100°C

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If hydrogen peroxide and oxygen-containing radicals are produced during fuel cell operation, then electrochemical reactions proceed, but chemical degradation of electrolyte membrane occurs reducing durability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidfuel cell durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful hydrogen peroxide and oxygen-containing radicals into beneficial components by using them as oxidizing agents to form metal oxides with antioxidant properties on the membrane surface, which then protect the membrane from further chemical degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces metal particles or metal-containing compounds as intermediary substances that catalyze the conversion of harmful radicals into protective metal oxide layers, mediating between the electrochemical reactions and the membrane stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If antioxidants are added to electrolyte membrane to prevent chemical degradation, then durability is improved, but proton conductivity is reduced due to blocking of proton migration path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemembrane durabilityVSAvoidproton conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies antioxidants locally on the membrane surface rather than uniformly throughout the membrane structure, ensuring that proton migration channels remain open while providing targeted protection against chemical degradation at critical interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The antioxidant improves the chemical durability and proton conductivity of the electrolyte membrane, allowing for stable operation at higher temperatures while maintaining high proton transfer efficiency, as demonstrated by reduced fluoride emission rates and increased conductivity compared to conventional antioxidants.

Implementation Method 1

An inorganic particle-based antioxidant having a core including an inorganic particle and a shell covering a surface of the core and including an ionomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntioxidant property: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

a shell covering at least a portion of a surface of the core and including an ionomer... maintaining proton transfer efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProton conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

the ionomer may include a polymer and a proton conductive functional group bonded to the polymer... a polymer having a phosphoric acid group

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProton transfer: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230327160A1Electrolyte membrane having excellent durability and proton conductivity and fuel cell including the same

Publication Date: 2023.10.12 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are an electrolyte membrane which includes an antioxidant and thus has excellent durability and proton conductivity, and a fuel cell including the same. The antioxidant may include a core including an inorganic particle, and a shell covering at least a portion of a surface of the core and including an ionomer, and the ionomer may include a polymer and a proton conductive functional group bonded to the polymer.