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US 11,894,589 B2Granted
Systems, methods, and devices for cation-associating fuel cell components
AssigneeNikola Corporation
InventorsJohn Slack, Andrew Baker
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Abstract
Improved membrane electrode assemblies, cation-associating components thereof, and methods of making and treating the same are provided. Membrane electrode assemblies may include an ionomer having a first pKa value, and a water-insoluble net polymer having a weakly-acidic functional group, wherein the weakly-acidic functional group has a second pKa value greater than the first pKa value.
Claims13
A membrane electrode assembly, comprising:
- a proton exchange membrane disposed between an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer;
- and
- a cation-associating layer comprising a water-insoluble net polymer,
- wherein the water-insoluble net polymer comprises a weakly-acidic functional group configured to preferentially associate with contaminant cations,
- wherein the proton exchange membrane comprises a first ionomer,
- wherein the weakly-acidic functional group comprises phosphonic acid, and
- wherein the cation-associating layer is disposed in at least one of a portion of the cathode catalyst layer, a portion of a cathode microporous layer, or between the cathode catalyst layer and the cathode microporous layer.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.