Method to accelerate wetting of an ion exchange membrane in a semi-fuel cell
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsLouis G. Carreiro, Charles J. Patrissi, Steven P. Tucker
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Abstract
A new treatment method for ion exchange membranes used in semi-fuel cells that accelerates the wetting of the membranes by aqueous electrolyte solutions, thus reducing the start up time for metal/hydrogen peroxide-based semi-fuel cells. Specifically, a NAFION® membrane that is intended for dry storage in a semi-fuel cell is treated with glycerin (glycerol) to enhance its rate of absorption of electrolyte solution when the semi-fuel cell is activated.
Claims11
A method for treating a perflourinated ionomer membrane to increase said membrane's rate of absorption of electrolyte solution, which comprises:
- immersing said membrane in H2SO4;
- removing said membrane from H2SO4;
- then immersing said membrane in H2O;
- removing said membrane from H2O;
- and
- then immersing said membrane in glycerin.
A method for treating a perflourinated ionomer membrane to increase said membrane's rate of absorption of electrolyte solution in a semi-fuel cell, comprising the sequential steps of:
- immersing said membrane in 1-2 M H2SO4 for at least 48 hours;
- removing said membrane from the 1-2 M H2SO4 solution after at least 48 hours have elapsed;
- rinsing said membrane in distilled and deionized H2O;
- soaking said membrane in said distilled and deionized H2O for at least 24 hours;
- removing said membrane from the distilled and deionized H2O after at least 24 hours have elapsed;
- rinsing said membrane in distilled and deionized H2O;
- immersing said membrane in glycerin for at least 48 hours;
- removing said membrane from the glycerin after at least 48 hours have elapsed;
- rinsing said membrane in distilled and deionized H2O;
- and
- drying said membrane in air for at least 48 hours prior to use.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.