Epoxy-crosslinked sulfonated poly (phenylene) copolymer proton exchange membranes
AssigneeSandia Corporation
InventorsMichael Hibbs, Cy H. Fujimoto, Kirsten Norman, Michael A. Hickner
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Abstract
An epoxy-crosslinked sulfonated poly(phenylene) copolymer composition used as proton exchange membranes, methods of making the same, and their use as proton exchange membranes (PEM) in hydrogen fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cell, in electrode casting solutions and electrodes, and in sulfur dioxide electrolyzers. These improved membranes are tougher, have higher temperature capability, and lower SO2 crossover rates.
Claims9
An epoxy-crosslinked sulfonated poly(phenylene) copolymer composition, synthesized by crosslinking a copolymer made of a sulfonated poly(phenylene) and a tetrahydroxy bis(cyclopentadienone) with a tetra-epoxy crosslinking agent, according to the following reaction:
- followed by curing the mixture at a temperature in the range of 150° C. to 200° C. for 1 to 6 hours.
An epoxy-crosslinked sulfonated poly(phenylene) copolymer composition having the following structure:
- where m=0.01 to 0.99, and R═H or SO3H;
- and at least one of the R groups is SO3H.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.