Composite proton conducting membrane with low degradation and membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells
AssigneesFord Motor Company, Daimler AG
InventorsYunsong Yang, Jing Li, Keping Wang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A small molecule or polymer additive can be used in preparation of a membrane electrode assembly to improve its durability and performance under low relative humidity in a fuel cell. Specifically, a method of forming a membrane electrode assembly comprising a proton exchange membrane, comprises providing an additive comprising at least two nitrogen atoms to the membrane electrode assembly.
Claims24
-23. (canceled)
A method of forming a membrane electrode assembly comprising a proton exchange membrane and electrodes, the method comprising:
- incorporating an additive into the proton exchange membrane of the membrane electrode assembly, comprising a step of mixing the additive with the proton exchange membrane material,
- wherein the additive is an uncomplexed ligand having at least two nitrogen atoms which can act as coordination sites, so that the additive can form complexes with metal ion impurities in the membrane, and
- wherein the membrane is a perfluorosulfonic acid membrane or a hydrocarbon ionomer membrane.
A proton exchange membrane for a membrane electrode assembly comprising:
- perfluorosulfonic acid or a hydrocarbon ionomer;
- and
- an additive;
- wherein the additive is an uncomplexed ligand having at least two nitrogen atoms which can act as coordination sites, so that the additive can form complexes with metal ions.
A reinforcement proton conducting membrane comprising:
- a perfluorosulfonic acid or a hydrocarbon ionomer;
- and
- a porous polymer matrix,
- wherein the porous polymer matrix comprises an additive, the additive being an uncomplexed ligand having at least two nitrogen atoms or chemical units comprising at least two nitrogen atoms, the at least two nitrogen atoms being able to act as coordination sites, so that the additive can form complexes with metal ions.
A reinforcement proton conducting membrane comprising:
- a perfluorosulfonic acid with an additive or a hydrocarbon ionomer with an additive, and a porous polymer matrix, wherein the additive is an uncomplexed ligand having at least two nitrogen atoms which can act as coordination sites, so that the additive can form complexes with metal ions.
A reinforcement proton conducting membrane comprising:
- a perfluorosulfonic acid with an additive or a hydrocarbon ionomer with an additive;
- and a porous polymer matrix comprising an additive;
- wherein the additive is an uncomplexed ligand having at least two nitrogen atoms which can act as coordination sites, so that the additive can form complexes with metal ions.
A membrane electrode assembly comprising:
- a proton conducting membrane;
- and
- at least one electrode;
- wherein the proton conducting membrane comprises a perfluoro backbone or hydrocarbon ionomer comprising chemical units to form complexes with metal ions, wherein the chemical units comprise at least two nitrogen atoms which can act as coordination sites, so that the chemical units can form complexes with metal ions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.