Sony Corporation

Constance Gertrud Rost

Masafumi Ata

Koichiro Hinokuma

Kazuaki Fukushima

Yongming Li

Bjoern Pietzak

Bj&ouml;rn Pietzak

Björn Pietzak

Disclosed herein are an ionic conductor including a proton conductor, a process for production thereof, and an electrochemical device (such as fuel cell) with said ionic conductor, said ionic conductor being superior in ionic conductivity, water resistance, and film forming properties. The ionic conductor is formed from a polymer in which carbon clusters having ion dissociating functional groups are bonded to each other through connecting groups. The polymer is less water-soluble and more chemically stable than a derivative composed solely of carbon clusters; therefore, it permits many ion dissociating functional group to be introduced thereinto. Moreover, if ion dissociating functional groups are introduced into also the connecting group, it is possible to prevent the concentration of ion dissociating functional groups from decreasing as the result of polymerization. The polymer can be easily synthesized by simple condensation, substitution, and hydrolysis. Therefore, the process is suitable for mass production in high yields.

Ionic conductor, process for production thereof, and electrochemical device

A proton conductor mainly contains a carbonaceous material derivative, such as, a fullerene derivative, a carbon cluster derivative, or a tubular carbonaceous material derivative in which groups capable of transferring protons, for example, &#x2014;OH groups or &#x2014;OSOH groups are introduced to carbon atoms of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is produced typically by compacting a powder of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is usable, even in a dry state, in a wide temperature range including ordinary temperature. In particular, the proton conductor mainly containing the carbon cluster derivative is advantageous in increasing the strength and extending the selection range of raw materials. An electrochemical device, such as, a fuel cell, that employs the proton conductor is not limited by atmospheric conditions and can be of a small and simple construction. The proton conductor may contain a polymer in addition to the carbonaceous material derivative, which conductor can be formed, typically by extrusion molding, into a thin film having a large strength, a high gas permeation preventive ability, and a good proton conductivity.

Proton conductor, production method thereof, and electrochemical device using the same

An ionic conductor, such as a proton conductor, a process for production thereof, and an electrochemical device, such as fuel cell, that includes the ionic conductor is provided. The ionic conductor of the present invention is formed from a polymer in which carbon clusters having ion dissociating functional groups are bonded to each other through connecting groups which can also include one or more ion dissociating functional groups. In this regard, the polymer is less water-soluble and more chemically stable than a derivative composed solely of carbon clusters, thus displaying enhanced ionic conduction properties.

A proton conductor mainly contains a carbonaceous material derivative, such as, a fullerene derivative, a carbon cluster derivative, or a tubular carbonaceous material derivative in which groups capable of transferring protons, for example, &mdash;OH groups or &mdash;OSO H groups are introduced to carbon atoms of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is produced typically by compacting a powder of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is usable, even in a dry state, in a wide temperature range including ordinary temperature. In particular, the proton conductor mainly containing the carbon cluster derivative is advantageous in increasing the strength and extending the selection range of raw materials. An electrochemical device, such as, a fuel cell, that employs the proton conductor is not limited by atmospheric conditions and can be of a small and simple construction. The proton conductor may contain a polymer in addition to the carbonaceous material derivative, which conductor can be formed, typically by extrusion molding, into a thin film having a large strength, a high gas permeation preventive ability, and a good proton conductivity.

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Kanagawa, Japan

Constance Gertrud Rost