Polymer electrolyte membrane

• US 7,348,088 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Moore, George Gower Innes, Hamrock, Steven Joseph, Rivard, Linda Mae, Freemyer, Harold Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell; Bruce F.
• Application Number:
  US10/325,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20040121210A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,923 Days
• Field of Search: 521/27, 429/33, 429/30
• US Class Current: 429/494
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2327/12 containing fluorine atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 5/225 containing fluorine
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1023 having only carbon, e.g. polyarylenes, polystyrenes or polybutadiene-styrenes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1039 halogenated, e.g. sulfonated polyvinylidene fluorides
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1067 characterised by their physical properties, e.g. porosity, ionic conductivity or thickness
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1081 starting from solutions, dispersions or slurries exclusively of polymers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A polymer electrolyte membrane is provided having a thickness of 90 microns or less and comprising a polymer, said polymer comprising a highly fluorinated backbone and recurring pendant groups according to the formula:
YOSO₂—CF₂—CF₂—CF₂—CF₂—O-[polymer backbone]  (I)
where Y is H⁺ or a monovalent cation such as an alkali metal cation. Typically, the membrane is a cast membrane. Typically, the polymer has a hydration product of greater than 22,000. Typically, the polymer has an equivalent weight of 800-1200.

Claims

1. A polymer electrolyte membrane having a thickness of 90 microns or less comprising a polymer, said polymer comprising a highly fluorinated backbone and pendant groups according to the formula:

YOSO₂—

CF₂—

CF₂—

CF₂—

CF₂—

O-[polymer backbone] 

 

(I)

where Y is H⁺ or a monovalent cation.

2. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to claim 1 which is a cast membrane.

3. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to claim 2 having a thickness of 30 microns or less.

4. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to any of claims 1-3 wherein said polymer has a hydration product of greater than 22,000.

5. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to claim 4 wherein said polymer has an equivalent weight of between 800 and 1200.

6. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to claim 4 wherein said polymer has an equivalent weight of between 900 and 1100.

7. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to claim 4 wherein said polymer has an equivalent weight of between 1000 and 1100.

8. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to any of claims 1-3 wherein said polymer has a hydration product of greater than 23,000.

9. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to claim 8 wherein said polymer has an equivalent weight of between 800 and 1200.

10. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to claim 8 wherein said polymer has an equivalent weight of between 900 and 1100.

11. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to claim 8 wherein said polymer has an equivalent weight of between 1000 and 1100.

12. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to any of claims 1-3 wherein said polymer has a hydration product of greater than 24,000.

13. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to claim 12 wherein said polymer has an equivalent weight of between 800 and 1200.

14. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to claim 12 wherein said polymer has an equivalent weight of between 900 and 1100.

15. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to claim 12 wherein said polymer has an equivalent weight of between 1000 and 1100.

16. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to any of claims 1-3 wherein said polymer has an equivalent weight of between 800 and 1200.

17. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to any of claims 1-3 wherein said polymer has an equivalent weight of between 900 and 1100.

18. The polymer electrolyte membrane according to any of claims 1-3 wherein said polymer has an equivalent weight of between 1000 and 1100.

19. A membrane electrode assembly comprising the polymer electrolyte membrane according to any of claims 1-3.