Ion conducting composite membrane materials containing an optionally modified zirconium phosphate dispersed in a polymeric matrix, method for preparation of the membrane material and its use

US7108935B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• FuMa-Tech Gesellschaft für funktionelle Membranen und Anlagentechnologie mbH · DE

Inventors

• Bernd Bauer · Leinfelden, DE
• Jacques Roziere · Montpellier, FR
• Deborah Jones · Montpellier, FR
• Giulio Alberti · Perugia, IT
• Mario Casciola · Perugia, IT
• Monica Pica · Gualdo Tadino, IT

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 12, 2003
• Grant date: Sep 19, 2006
• Expiry date: Mar 12, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The invention provides composite membrane materials comprising a polymer of the state of art uniformly filled with a zirconium phosphate, preferably α-zirconium phosphate or zirconium phosphate sulfoarylenphosphonate particels. The composite membrane materials are preferably prepared starting from a solution of a polymer of the state of art and from a colloidal dispersion of α-zirconium phosphate or a zirconium phosphate sulfoarylenphosphonate. The colloidal particles are transferred into the solution of the polymer preferably by mixing the dispersion with the solution or by means of phase transfer. The membrane material is preferably obtained by removing the solvent by evaporation or by a suitable non-solvent. Besides the composite membrane materials and the preparation methods, the use of the above membrane materials is claimed as ionomeric membranes with high overall performance in high tempreature, especially hydrogen, and in indirect methanol fuel cells and with decreased methanol crossover in direct methanol fuel cells.