Fuel cell incorporating a reinforced membrane
First Claim
1. A fuel cell comprising anode and cathode compartments partitioned by a reinforced polymeric ion exchange membrane, said membrane consisting essentially of(a) at least one ion exchange polymer selected from the group consisting of perfluorinated polymers with side chains containing the group --CF2 CF2 SO2 F, and(b) a porous support layer comprising a microporous film of perfluorinated polymer selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene and copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene with ##STR5## m=0 to 15, n=1 to 15, said support layer being fully embedded in said membrane.
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Abstract
A fuel cell and a battery with a reinforced polymeric ion exchange membrane are disclosed. The membrane comprises (a) a porous support layer, preferably of fluorine-containing polymer, and (b) an ion exchange resin, preferably a fluorinated ion exchange layer(s) supported on one or both sides of the porous support layer. The total thickness of the membrane is preferably from 20 to 500 μm. The membrane has low fuel crossover, high electric conductivity and high mechanical strength. The membrane may especially be used in a direct methanol fuel cell.
146 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A fuel cell comprising anode and cathode compartments partitioned by a reinforced polymeric ion exchange membrane, said membrane consisting essentially of
(a) at least one ion exchange polymer selected from the group consisting of perfluorinated polymers with side chains containing the group --CF2 CF2 SO2 F, and (b) a porous support layer comprising a microporous film of perfluorinated polymer selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene and copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene with ##STR5## m=0 to 15, n=1 to 15, said support layer being fully embedded in said membrane.
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9. A fuel cell comprising anode and cathode compartments partitioned by a reinforced polymeric ion exchange membrane, said membrane comprising
(a) at least one ion exchange polymer, and (b) a porous support layer comprising a polymer having an aliphatic ring structure containing fluorine.
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10. A fuel cell comprising anode and cathode compartments partitioned by a reinforced polymeric ion exchange membrane, said membrane consisting essentially of
(a) at least one ion exchange polymer selected from the group consisting of perfluorinated polymers with side chains containing the group --CF2 CF2 SO2 F, and (b) a porous support layer comprising a microporous film of perfluorinated polymer selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene and copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene with ##STR6## m=0 to 15, n=1 to 15, said porous support layer being on one surface of the membrane and said surface facing the cathode compartment of the fuel cell.
Specification