Innovative method for the preparation of proton conducting nanopolymeric membranes for use in fuel cells or in catalytic membrane reactors
US7521141B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/50
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention is based on the preparation of an organic solution of preferably phosphonic acids and tetravalent metals salts, preferably of Zr, Ti, Sn and Ce, in organic solvents, which behaves as a solution of layered tetravalent metals salts, preferably phosphate-phosphonates, which are completely insoluble in the known solvents. This peculiarity allows an easy insertion of particles of the above compounds in the pores of porous membranes, in the matrices of those polymers, which are soluble in the same organic solvents, as well as in the membrane/electrode interfaces of fuel cells. The use of tetravalent metals salts, preferably zirconium phosphate-phosphonates, possessing high proton conductivity (in some cases higher than 10−1 S cm−1) allows the preparation of impregnated porous membranes and of nano-polymeric membranes combining good mechanical properties, and/or reduced permeability to gaseous species, with good proton conductivity. These membranes can therefore be employed in fuel cells even at temperatures higher than 80° C. These membranes also possess a high catalytic activity and can therefore be employed in catalytic membrane reactors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.