Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

3m Innovative Properties Company

Charles W Martin

Huey Shen Wu

Xin Kang Chen

Darryl D DesMarteau

Lawrence A Ford

Yuan Xie

Xinyuan Zhu

Deyue Yan

Carlos Alberto Cavalca

Karine Gulati

Guyu Xiao

Guomin Sun

An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) high conductivity (greater than 0.13 S/cm). In another embodiment, the invention is an ionomer having (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) acceptably low hydration (less than about 120 weight percent). These ionomers are capable of being processed into thin film and are extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Low equivalent weight ionomer

The reaction product of a monomer comprising phthalazinone and a phenol group, and at least one sulfonated aromatic compound. The monomer comprising phthalazinone and a phenol group is used in a reaction with the sulfonated aromatic compound to produce ionomers with surprising and highly desirable properties. In one embodiment, the inventive ionomer is a sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketone), hereinafter referred to as sPPEK. In another embodiment, the inventive ionomer is a sulfonated poly(phthalazinone either sulfone), herein after referred to as SPPES. In another embodiment, the inventive ionomer is other sulfonated aromatic polymeric compounds. The invention further includes the formation of these polymers into membranes and their use for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), and in particular for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). The inventive polymers may be manufactured in membrane form, and can be dissolved into solution and impregnated into porous substrates to form composite polymer electrolyte membranes with improved properties.

Ionomer for use in fuel cells and method of making same

An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) high conductivity, (greater than 0.15 S/cm). In an alternative embodiment, the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight; below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between about 700 and about 800; and (2) acceptably low hydration, (less than about 75 weight percent). These ionomers are adapted to be processed into thin films that have acceptable physical stability. They are thus extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Sulfonated perfluorovinyl functional monomers

The present invention provides a monomer having the formula A&mdash;B, wherein A is represented by Formula I:

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Avondale, PA, United States of America

Charles W Martin