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

Abstract

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.

Inventors:

Mittelsteadt, Cortney; Argun, Avni; Laicer, Castro; Willey, Jason

Issue Date:

Tue Aug 08 00:00:00 EDT 2017

Research Org.:

GINER, INC. Newton, MA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1374428

Patent Number(s):

9728802

Application Number:

14/120,353

Assignee:

GINER, INC.

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29K - INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29C - SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS

B29C43/222 - {characterised by the shape of the surface}
B29C43/28 - incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. compression moulding around inserts or for coating articles

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29K - INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

B29K2081/06 - {PSU, i.e. polysulfones
B29K2105/0002 - {monomers or prepolymers}
B29K2105/0073 - {Solution}
B29K2105/256 - {Sheets, plates, blanks or films}
B29K2905/08 - Transition metals
B29K2995/0005 - Conductive
B29K2995/0027 - for light outside the visible spectrum
B29K2995/0097 - Thickness

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B29 - WORKING OF PLASTICS B29L - INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

B29L2031/3468 - {Batteries, accumulators or fuel cells
B29L2031/755 - {Membranes, diaphragms}

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25B - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS

C25B13/02 - characterised by form or shape
C25B13/08 - based on organic materials

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M2008/1095 - {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes}
H01M2300/0094 - in the form of layered products, e.g. coatings
H01M8/1065 - characterised by the form, e.g. perforated or wave-shaped
H01M8/1069 - characterised by the manufacturing processes

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/50 - Fuel cells

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02P - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

Y02P70/50 - Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

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DOE Contract Number:  

EE0004533

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2014 May 14

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY