Proton conducting polymers used as membranes
AssigneeCase Western Reserve University
InventorsRobert F. Savinell, Morton H. Litt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The subject invention relates to solid polymer electrolyte membranes comprising proton conducting polymers stable at temperatures in excess of 100.degree. C., the polymer being basic polymer complexed with a strong acid or an acid polymer. The invention further relates to the use of such membranes in electrolytic cells and acid fuel cells. Particularly, the invention relates to the use of polybenzimidazole as a suitable polymer electrolyte membrane.
Claims32
A solid polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a proton conducting polymer stable at temperatures in excess of 100.degree. C. wherein said proton conducting polymer is a polymer doped with a strong acid at an acid doping level of at least 200 mol %.
A high temperature proton conducting polymer comprising a polymer complexed with a strong acid which conducts protons at temperatures in excess of 100.degree. C. wherein said proton conducting polymer is a polymer doped with a strong acid at an acid doping level of at least 200 mol %
A hydrogen or direct methanol fuel cell comprising:
- (a) an anode;
- (b) a cathode;
- and (c) an acid doped basic polymer electrolyte membrane which conducts protons at temperatures in excess of 100.degree. C. wherein said proton conducting polymer is a polymer doped with a strong acid at an acid doping level of at least 200 mol %.
An acid fuel cell containing a solid polymer electrolyte membrane comprising an acid doped polymer.
An electrolytic cell containing a solid polymer electrolyte membrane comprising an acid doped polymer where the membrane is stable at temperatures in excess of 100.degree. C. wherein said proton conducting polymer is a polymer doped with a strong acid at an acid doping level of at least 200 mol %.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.