Rigid rod ion conducting copolymers
AssigneeCase Western Reserve University
InventorsMorton H. Litt, Robert F. Savinell, Jesse S. Wainright, Yue Zhang
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Abstract
Sulfonated polyimide polymers incorporating bulky monomers are disclosed. The polymers have a liquid crystalline structure and exhibit high conductivity, high water uptake and water stability over a range of relative humidities and temperatures. The polymers are particularly adapted for use as a polymer electrolyte membrane in fuel cells.
Claims72
A rigid rod ion conducting copolymer comprising:
- a non-polar first monomer capable of binding a diamine;
- a diamine second monomer having sulfonic acid groups;
- and
- a third monomer selected from the group consisting of diamine monomers, dianhydride monomers, and combinations thereof, the third monomer containing bulky, displacing or angled constituents, the third monomer capable of reacting with the first or second monomer;
- wherein the rigid rod ion conducting copolymer exhibits liquid crystal characteristics when in a solid form.
A polymer having Structure II as follows:
- wherein E is a dianhydride, F is a sulfonic acid containing diamine, B is a second diamine, the molar ratio of g/(g+h) is within the range of from about 99 mole percent to about 50 mole percent and the molar ratio of h/(g+h) is within the range of from about 1 mole percent to about 50 mole percent.
A polymer having Structure II as follows:
- wherein E is a sulfonic acid containing diamine, F is a dianhydride, B is a second dianhydride, the molar ratio of g/(g+h) is within the range of from about 99 mole percent to about 50 mole percent and the molar ratio of h/(g+h) is within the range of from about 1 mole percent to about 50 mole percent.
A polymer for use as a membrane in a fuel cell, the polymer having Structure I as follows:
- wherein B is a diamine, and the molar ratio of X to Y is from about 0.01 to about 0.5.
A polymer for use as a membrane in a fuel cell, the polymer having a Structure I as follows:
- wherein B is a dianhydride, and the molar ratio of X to Y is from about 0.01 to about 0.5.
A polymer particularly adapted for use as a membrane in a fuel cell, the polymer having a Structure I as follows:
- wherein B is a dianhydride, and the molar ratio of X to Y is from about 0.01 to about 0.5.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.