Dais Corporation

Joseph M Serpico

Gary E Wnek

Scott G Ehrenberg

Jeffrey N Rider

Timothy N Tangredi

Fuel cells incorporating a novel ion-conducting membrane are disclosed. The membrane comprises a plurality of acid-stable polymer molecules each having at least one ion-conducting component covalently bonded to at least one flexible connecting component. The membrane has ion-conducting components of the polymer molecules ordered such that a plurality of continuous ion-conducting channels penetrate the membrane from a first face to a second face and such that the ion-conducting channels are situated in an elastic matrix formed by the flexible connecting components. A preferred membrane is obtained by (1) sulfonating SEBS with sulfur trioxide under conditions that result in greater than 25 mol % sulfonation and (2) heating the polymer.

Fuel cell incorporating novel ion-conducting membrane

A gas diffusion electrode for an electrochemical cell and a fuel cell employing the electrode are disclosed. The electrode includes a porous body in contact with a catalyst layer comprising (i) a catalyst dispersed on the surface of a carbon support; (ii) a water-insoluble sulfonated polystyrene, poly(.alpha.-methylstyrene) or SEBS block copolymer; and (iii) a nonionic fluorocarbon polymer. The fuel cell includes two of the foregoing electrodes and a membrane of a proton-conducting polymer between the electrodes. It also includes an inlet for a gaseous fuel, an inlet for an oxygen-containing gas, and an outlet for reaction products.

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Troy, NY, United States of America

Joseph M Serpico