Patent · US Expired

Polymer electrolyte membranes crosslinked by nitrile trimerization

US7074841B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by

61References

7Claims

0Family size

Inventors

Michael A. Yandrasits · Hastings, US
Steven J. Hamrock · Saint Paul, US
Werner M. A. Grootaert · Windom, US
Miguel A. Guerra · Woodbury, US
Naiyong Jing · Woodbury, US

Key dates

Filing date	Nov 13, 2003
Grant date	Jul 11, 2006
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Nov 13, 2023

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02E60/50
WIPO fieldOther special machines
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method is provided for making a crosslinked polymer electrolyte, typically in the form of a membrane for use as a polymer electrolyte membrane in an electrolytic cell such as a fuel cell, by trimerization of nitrile groups contained on groups pendant from the polymer. The resulting polymer electrolyte membrane comprises a highly fluorinated polymer comprising: a perfluorinated backbone, first pendent groups which comprise sulfonic acid groups, and crosslinks comprising trivalent groups according to the formula:The first pendent groups are typically according to the formula: —R1—SO3H, where R1 is a branched or unbranched perfluoroalkyl or perfluoroether group comprising 1–15 carbon atoms and 0–4 oxygen atoms, most typically —O—CF2—CF2—CF2—CF2—SO3H or —O—CF2—CF(CF3)—O—CF2—CF2—SO3H.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.