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Title: Micromold methods for fabricating perforated substrates and for preparing solid polymer electrolyte composite membranes

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1374428
; ; ;

In polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzes, attaining and maintaining high membrane conductivity and durability is crucial for performance and efficiency. The use of low equivalent weight (EW) perfluorinated ionomers is one of the few options available to improve membrane conductivity. However, excessive dimensional changes of low EW ionomers upon application of wet/dry or freeze/thaw cycles yield catastrophic losses in membrane integrity. Incorporation of ionomers within porous, dimensionally-stable perforated polymer electrolyte membrane substrates provides improved PEM performance and longevity. The present invention provides novel methods using micromolds to fabricate the perforated polymer electrolyte membrane substrates. These novel methods using micromolds create uniform and well-defined pore structures. In addition, these novel methods using micromolds described herein may be used in batch or continuous processing.

Research Organization:
GINER, INC. Newton, MA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
EE0004533
Assignee:
GINER, INC.
Patent Number(s):
9,728,802
Application Number:
14/120,353
OSTI ID:
1374428
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2014 May 14
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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  • Yanagishita, Takashi; Nishio, Kazuyuki; Masuda, Hideki
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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
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